Silk Industry and Export in India

In FY24, India’s exports of silk and silk products stood at US$ 265 million.

Source: Central Silk Board

Last updated: Apr, 2025

Introduction

India is the second-largest producer of silk in the world. As of FY24, the country’s sericulture industry employs around 9.76 million people in rural and semi-urban areas . The industry is one of the largest foreign exchange earners in the country. The sericulture activities in India are spread across 52,360 villages. India produces four types of natural silks: Mulberry, Eri, Tasar, and Muga. The country produces silk garments, made-ups, fabrics, yarns, carpets, shawls, scarves, cushion covers, and accessories through the raw material.

In FY24, India produced 38,913 metric tons (MT) of silk, whereas during FY25 (April-December) 30,614 metric ton silk was produced. The share of mulberry production is the largest among other types of silk produced in the country. The major silk-producing states in the country are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Karnataka contributed around 32.3% of the total silk production in the country during FY24.

share of silk-type in India's total silk production

Export Trend

India exports raw silk, natural silk yarn, fabrics & made-ups, readymade garments, silk waste and handloom products of silk. In FY24, India’s exports of silk and silk products stood at US$ 244.27 million. During FY25 (April-December), the exports of silk and silk products stood at US$ 215 million. Product-wise split for the exports for FY25 (April-December) was as follows - natural silk yarn exports were US$ 95.78 million, silk readymade garments exports were US$ 60.39 million, Raw silk were US$ 2.89 million, silk waste exports were US$ 24.72 million and silk carpet export were US$ 31.22 million.

The natural silk yarn, fabrics, and made ups, and silk readymade garments were the most exported silk products from India during FY25 (April-December) with exports share of 44.56%, and 28.09%, respectively. The share of other products in India’s total silk exports were as follows – silk waste (11.50%), raw silk (1.34%) and silk carpet (14.52%).

India enjoys a unique global position in terms of production and exports of all the commercially useful varieties of silk and the government has initiated various trade shows and fairs in order to promote the exports of silk products across the world.

Export Destinations

India’s silk and silk products are in high demand throughout the world. The country exports to more than 30 countries in the world. Some of the top importers were the UAE, USA, China, UK, Italy, Singapore, Australia, France, Germany, and Nepal during FY25 (April-December).

The UAE was the top importer of silk products from India with a share of 35.81% as of FY25 (April-December). The USA was the second largest importer of Indian silk after the USA, with a share of 17.21%. These countries were followed by China, the UK, Italy and Singapore which had 11.16%, 3.26%, 3.26%, and 3.26% of the total exports share, respectively.

Silk carpets were majorly exported to the USA, with 36.47% of all silk products. This was followed by readymade garments which constituted 36.05% of the total. Natural silk yarn, fabrics, and made ups were 27% of the total share exported to the USA.

Natural silk yarn, fabrics, and made ups exported to UAE held a share of 75.57% in the total exported products. Silk carpets constituted 14.04% and silk readymade garments constituted 10.40% of the total exported products to UAE.

Silk waste was the majorly exported to China with a share of 92% of the total exported products.

country-wise share of India's silk exports

Government Initiatives

For the development and growth of the silk industry in India, the government has implemented several research & development, training, transfer of technology and IT initiatives. The focus is to develop new technologies, train a larger workforce, provide education, and enhance connectivity between scientists, experts, and developers. In addition to these, there are various schemes such as the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) and Silk Samagra and Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) are implemented for the development of the industry.

Silk Samagra

Silk Samagra was an Integrated Scheme for Development of Silk Industry (ISDSI) which the Government of India introduced through the Central Silk Board (CSB). This scheme had a total outlay of Rs. 2,161.68 crore (US$ 272.8 million) for 3 years (2017-18 to 2019-20) and was aimed at the complete development of the silk industry in India. This scheme will aid in scaling up silk production by improving quality and productivity.

Sericulture Development in the North-Eastern States (NERTPS)

The Government of India had launched the sericulture development scheme within an umbrella scheme, namely “North-East Region Textile Promotion scheme”. The objective of this scheme was the revival, expansion, and diversification of sericulture in the state with a special focus on Eri and Muga silks.

Governing Body

The Indian Silk Export Promotion Council (ISEPC)

Sponsored by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, the ISEPC is an apex body of the exporters, manufacturers and merchandisers. The main activities of the council are to explore markets, establish contacts with potential buyers, organize buyer-seller meets, silk fairs, and exhibitions, resolve trade disputes, and promote and develop the Indian silk industry and exports.

RELATED SITES

Central Silk Board The Indian Silk Export Promotion Council Ministry of Commerce and Industry Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)