Market research

Silkworm cocoons market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Sub-Saharan Africa" region includes following countries:

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The market for silkworm cocoons in Sub-Saharan Africa grew from 44.6 thousand kg in 2018 to 62.9 thousand kg in 2021, a period during which local initiatives such as the integrated silk production model exemplified by Zimbabwe's Malwatte company helped add value and support market expansion.

After reaching its peak, the market volume declined to 58.8 thousand kg in 2022 before modestly recovering to 59.7 thousand kg in 2023. Production stabilized at 57.1 thousand kg from 2020 onwards, consistent with the region's reliance on traditional, artisanal breeding practices that emphasize manual techniques and seed preservation.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Sub-Saharan Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2018-2023, kg
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, kg
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, kg
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, kg
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, kg
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, kg
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, kg
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, kg
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, kg
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production silkworm cocoons in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of silkworm cocoons, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of silkworm cocoons, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Sub-Saharan Africa's silkworm cocoon production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 57 140 kg of silkworm cocoons, showing a modest increase of 8.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 19%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.2%	5.0%	8.8%	6.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports silkworm cocoons from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, kg

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. From a low in 2019 to a high in 2018, export volumes varied by 17 317 151 230 772 times. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa exported 4 kg of silkworm cocoons, representing a dramatic rise of 695 636 098 049 121.2% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 kg, while the maximum was in 2018 at 10 082 kg. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 100.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	696.9%	(100.0%)	695 636 098 049 121.4%	(85.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China accounted for the largest share of Sub-Saharan Africa's silkworm cocoon exports in kind, making up 34.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. The highest export value was noted in 2017, while the lowest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 9.8 times. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa's silkworm cocoon exports amounted to 2 032 US dollars, which is 84.9% less than in 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 19.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(43.4%)	19.1%	(84.9%)	(53.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China and Israel were the largest destinations for Sub-Saharan Africa's silkworm cocoon exports in value terms, together accounting for 22.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports silkworm cocoons to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, kg

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. From a peak in 2017 to a trough in 2019, imports changed by 11 times. In 2020, cross-border shipments of silkworm cocoons to Sub-Saharan Africa reached 1 664 kg, marking a sharp gain of 165.2% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 628 kg, and the largest decline occurred in the same year, with a drop of 86.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(31.2%)	(86.7%)	165.2%	(37.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, China remained the dominant partner for silkworm cocoon imports in kind to Sub-Saharan Africa, holding a share of 72.7% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, $ US

In 2020, the volume of silkworm cocoon imports to Sub-Saharan Africa amounted to 6 872 US dollars, indicating a modest uptick of 6.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 52.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 21.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 6 481 US dollars, and the maximum was in 2018 at 17 890 US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 63.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 24.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	24.4%	(63.8%)	6.0%	(21.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China (with 39.0% of imports in value terms), the United States (12.9%), and India (12.2%) were the principal destinations for silkworm cocoon imports in value terms to Sub-Saharan Africa, jointly accounting for 64.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io