Producers and Consumers
Silk has a small percentage in the global textile fiber market, its less than .2%, however the value and products of silk are very impressive. Silk is a multibillion-dollar trade market; the unit price of silk is roughly twenty times the price of raw cotton. The annual turnover of the China National Import and Export Corporation is 2-2.5 billion dollars.
China is the largest exporter of silk, followed by India, even thought their export figures have shown a downward trend recently. Vietnam has emerged as a major player in the silk industry and will soon pose a threat to countries like India, Brazil, and to Bangladesh.
Italy and France- Raw Silk Importers and Processors
Italy, because of its fashion industry, has traditionally been the largest importer of raw silk, processor and exporter of silk in Europe. In 1997, Italy imported 3200 tons of raw silk and 300 tons of silk thread, primarily imported from China. Along with this Italy also imported 300 tons of ladies silk blouses, over 80% of the silk blouses came from China. However, over the past five years the importing of silk garments has dramatically decreased, in 1992 they imported 700 tons of blouses. Italy is known for there high quality processing of silk, finishing, dyeing, and printing of silk fabrics. However with the decrease of blouses, the exports of silk scarves rose by about 15% in 1996-1997. Along with that the exports of silk neckties reached 1230 tons in 1997.
France is another large importer in the raw silk industry; they are also large processors of silk. Lyon has produced the highest quality of silk fabrics for domestic consumption and for export. Most of the silk fabrics in the French market have been used for clothing. However, silk soon may be growing in the interior decoration market, used for curtains, wall covers, bed spreads, and upholstery. France exports the best quality silk fabrics to the US market.
United States
The United States is one of the world’s largest importers of silk garments and interior decoration fabrics and accessories. Unlike Italy and France the US has a very little processing industry. In 1997 imports of silk goods were estimated to value about 2 billion dollars. 10% of it was for home furnishing. Unlike Europe, the US does not have a very long history of using silk, so silk has much more of a presence in Europe. However The United States has lead the way in the import of Chinese knitted silk products. It started with importing thermal underwear, and has now expanded to silk T-shirts, polo neck sweaters, etc. In the United States it is very important for the fabrics to be easy to care for, so silk fabric producers have to make the care of silk easy to compete with other fabrics.
Germany
Germany is the largest European market for textiles and clothing, especially silk. Germans prefer their fabrics to be “green” and natural fibers. Germany imports silk garments, accessories, and interior decoration fabrics. Their Silk garments are imported mainly from China. However India and Thailand have been successful with their hand loom silk products for home furnishing. Quality is important for Germany, they are willing to pay more for good quality products.
Japan
Japan is the largest silk consumer. In the 1960’s Japan relied solely on the local silk production, mostly for kimonos. However between the 1970’s and today, the local silk production in china has decreased drastically from 20,000 tons to less than 2000 tons. Japan depends more on imported silk goods from China. Kimonos take in about 50% of the total raw silk consumption in Japan. Silk in Japan isn’t used much for interior design. The decline in the demand of silk has had a serious effect on the Brazilian sericulture, because most of brazils silk products went to Japan.
China is the largest exporter of silk, followed by India, even thought their export figures have shown a downward trend recently. Vietnam has emerged as a major player in the silk industry and will soon pose a threat to countries like India, Brazil, and to Bangladesh.
Italy and France- Raw Silk Importers and Processors
Italy, because of its fashion industry, has traditionally been the largest importer of raw silk, processor and exporter of silk in Europe. In 1997, Italy imported 3200 tons of raw silk and 300 tons of silk thread, primarily imported from China. Along with this Italy also imported 300 tons of ladies silk blouses, over 80% of the silk blouses came from China. However, over the past five years the importing of silk garments has dramatically decreased, in 1992 they imported 700 tons of blouses. Italy is known for there high quality processing of silk, finishing, dyeing, and printing of silk fabrics. However with the decrease of blouses, the exports of silk scarves rose by about 15% in 1996-1997. Along with that the exports of silk neckties reached 1230 tons in 1997.
France is another large importer in the raw silk industry; they are also large processors of silk. Lyon has produced the highest quality of silk fabrics for domestic consumption and for export. Most of the silk fabrics in the French market have been used for clothing. However, silk soon may be growing in the interior decoration market, used for curtains, wall covers, bed spreads, and upholstery. France exports the best quality silk fabrics to the US market.
United States
The United States is one of the world’s largest importers of silk garments and interior decoration fabrics and accessories. Unlike Italy and France the US has a very little processing industry. In 1997 imports of silk goods were estimated to value about 2 billion dollars. 10% of it was for home furnishing. Unlike Europe, the US does not have a very long history of using silk, so silk has much more of a presence in Europe. However The United States has lead the way in the import of Chinese knitted silk products. It started with importing thermal underwear, and has now expanded to silk T-shirts, polo neck sweaters, etc. In the United States it is very important for the fabrics to be easy to care for, so silk fabric producers have to make the care of silk easy to compete with other fabrics.
Germany
Germany is the largest European market for textiles and clothing, especially silk. Germans prefer their fabrics to be “green” and natural fibers. Germany imports silk garments, accessories, and interior decoration fabrics. Their Silk garments are imported mainly from China. However India and Thailand have been successful with their hand loom silk products for home furnishing. Quality is important for Germany, they are willing to pay more for good quality products.
Japan
Japan is the largest silk consumer. In the 1960’s Japan relied solely on the local silk production, mostly for kimonos. However between the 1970’s and today, the local silk production in china has decreased drastically from 20,000 tons to less than 2000 tons. Japan depends more on imported silk goods from China. Kimonos take in about 50% of the total raw silk consumption in Japan. Silk in Japan isn’t used much for interior design. The decline in the demand of silk has had a serious effect on the Brazilian sericulture, because most of brazils silk products went to Japan.
