09-Oct-2025
Key Points:
India, which is frequently referred to as the "Land of Silk," has long been a major producer and exporter of silk. India dominates the world silk market thanks to its rich history, talented craftspeople, and wide range of silk types, including mulberry, tussar, eri, and muga. The rising demand for luxury, natural, and sustainable textiles worldwide has led to a steady increase in the nation's silk exports.
In this blog, we’ll explore the insights on Silk export from India, the key steps involved, major international buyers, Silk HS code, and the promising opportunities that make silk one of India’s most lucrative export sectors.
Based on data from the Indian Ministry of Textiles, India's raw silk production was 38,913 metric tons (MT) for the 2023–24 fiscal year. This marks a continued upward trend, with production having risen from 31,906 MT in 2017–18.
Source: PIB
|
Category |
Metric |
Details / Value |
|
Global Ranking |
World's Rank in Silk Production |
Second-largest producer globally. |
|
World's Rank in Silk Consumption |
Largest consumer globally. |
|
|
Types of Silk |
Unique Production Status |
The only country that produces all four major varieties of natural silk. |
|
Major Variety Share |
Mulberry Silk accounts for approximately 92% of raw silk production. |
|
|
Major Producers (Mulberry) |
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. |
|
|
Non-Mulberry Varieties (Vanya) |
Eri, Tasar, and Muga (Produced in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and northeastern states). |
|
|
Top Producing States (FY 2024) |
Karnataka |
12,463 Metric Tons (MT) |
|
Andhra Pradesh |
10,492 Metric Tons (MT) |
|
|
Assam |
5,745 Metric Tons (MT) |
Silk export from India reached US$244.27 million in FY24, with significant exports in FY25 (April-December), including natural silk yarn, readymade garments, and silk carpets.
According to Indian Silk export data, India exports raw silk, natural silk yarn, fabrics & made-ups, readymade garments, silk waste and handloom products of silk.
The exports for FY25 (April–December) were broken down by product: US$95.78 million for natural silk yarn, US$60.39 million for ready-made silk clothing, US$2.89 million for raw silk, US$24.72 million for silk waste, and US$31.22 million for silk carpet.
During FY25 (April–December), India's top exports were natural silk yarn, fabrics, and makeup, as well as ready-made silk clothing, with respective export shares of 44.56% and 28.09%.
The following products made up the remainder of India's total silk exports: raw silk (1.34%), silk waste (11.50%), and silk carpet (14.52%).
Here is the table for Silk export from India:
|
Silk export from India |
Indian Silk export data |
|
Total Shipments (TTM) |
515 |
|
Number of Indian Exporters |
141 |
|
Number of Global Buyers |
140 |
|
Growth Rate (YoY TTM) |
-17% |
|
Silk export from India in October 2024 |
44 |
|
YoY Growth (Oct 2024 vs. Oct 2023) |
19% |
|
Sequential Growth (Oct 2024 vs. Sep 2024) |
0% |
|
Top 3 Export Destinations |
US, Canada, and Singapore |
|
Top Silk HS code |
5002, 5003 and 5004 |
According to Indian Silk export data, Indian silk exports totalled 515 shipments between November 2023 and October 2024 (TTM). With 141 Indian exporters and 140 buyers, these exports represented a -17% growth rate over the previous 12 months.
During this time, 44 shipments of Indian silk were exported from India in October 2024 alone. This represents a 19% year-over-year increase over October 2023 and a 0% sequential growth over September 2024.
India's silk exports are mostly bought by the US, Canada, and Singapore.
The top three countries in the world for Indian silk exports are China, the Bahamas, and India. China (42 shipments), the Bahamas (49 shipments), and India (with 2,833 shipments) are the world's top exporters of Indian silk. To know the statistics on Silk export from India, HS code for silk fabric, Silk HS Codes, silk exporters in Bangalore, and Silk export data, connect with the ExportImportData portal today.
China is the world's main exporter of silk, accounting for the largest share of the global market for both raw silk and woven silk fabrics. The country's dominant position stems from its large-scale production and abundant supply of labour for sericulture and silk processing. Below are the top silk-exporting countries:
|
Rank |
silk exporting countries |
Silk export data (USD Millions) |
|
1 |
China |
$729M |
|
2 |
Italy |
$269M |
|
3 |
Vietnam |
$153M |
|
4 |
India |
$81.3M |
|
5 |
Romania |
$110M |
|
6 |
Uzbekistan |
$79M |
|
7 |
France |
$51.6M |
|
8 |
Germany |
$27M |
|
9 |
Japan |
$26.9M |
|
10 |
Korea, Rep. |
N/A* |
India's silk and its products are highly sought after globally. Over 30 countries worldwide are recipients of the nation's exports. The UAE, USA, China, UK, Italy, Singapore, Australia, France, Germany, and Nepal were among the top importers in FY25 (April–December).
With a share of 35.81% as of FY25 (April-December), the UAE was the largest importer of silk products from India. The United States was the second-largest importer of Indian silk, with a 17.21% share. Following these nations with 11.16%, 3.26%, 3.26%, and 3.26% of the total export share, respectively, were China, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Singapore. If you are looking for information on silk saree exporters or silk saree export statistics, you should read this useful blog.
There are many challenges in locating silk importers globally or silk buyers in India, but the ExportImportData portal is the best Export Import Data Provider. This platform is a one-stop shop for analysing statistics on silk export from India, Indian silk export data, HS code for silk fabric, silk trade partners, silk export partners, silk import/export data, silk's largest trading partners, the silk HS code, and much more.
You can trust our data-friendly platform because it contains a wealth of information from India to the USA. Additionally, buyers' and suppliers' lists, destination ports, product-specific HSN codes, Indian Export and Import Data, silk trade data, and other shipment information are available.
Starting a silk export business from India can be a rewarding venture for entrepreneurs who combine traditional craftsmanship with modern trade practices. With strong global demand, government support through export incentives, and a vast network of silk-producing regions, India offers an ideal foundation for success in this industry.
By identifying the right markets, maintaining product quality, and leveraging digital trade platforms, exporters can build profitable and long-term relationships with international buyers. Moreover, if you still have any queries related to the import and export of silk in India, silk export from India, silk exporters in India, the silk HS Codes list, or silk export data, visit our dedicated data intelligence platform today and schedule a live demonstration without any hustle & bustle.
Silk export from India to the USA
Silk export from India to Singapore
Export Import Data solutions is one of the best online import export websites in India that provides trade data services and trading business information. Currently, Export import data is the best import export data provider and market research companies in India.
As per the silk export data, the major export destinations for India’s export of silk include the UAE, the United States, China, the UK, and Italy.
According to silk exporter data, the major exporters of silk include China, Italy, Vietnam, India and Romania.
The Patan Patola silk, from Patan, Gujarat, is considered one of the richest and most expensive silks in India due to its intricate double ikat weaving process and high value.
The major silk HS Codes are 5001, 5002, 5003, 5004 and 5005.
Karnataka is the largest producer of silk in India, accounting for a significant portion of the country's total raw silk and mulberry silk production.
Based on the silk importers' data, the major silk importers include Italy, India, and France.
Yes, Silk is exported from India. Silk export from India reached US$244.27 million in FY24, with significant exports in FY25 (April-December), including natural silk yarn, readymade garments, and silk carpets.
The largest silk market in India is in Karnataka, which is also the biggest silk-producing state. Also, the Ramanagara district in Karnataka is known as the largest market for silk cocoons in Asia.
