Silk Industry and Export in India

India is the second-largest producer of silk in the world and employs around 9.76 million people in rural and semi-urban areas.

Source: Central Silk Board

Last updated: Aug, 2026

Introduction

Silk holds a distinctive place in India’s cultural and economic landscape, deeply interwoven with the country’s heritage, craftsmanship, and textile traditions. Renowned as the “Queen of Textiles”, silk is valued for its natural sheen, vibrant colours, fine texture, and elegant drape, making it one of the most premium textile fibres globally. India is one of the largest consumers of silk, supported by a strong domestic market rooted in traditional attire such as sarees, stoles, dress materials, and ready-made garments. The country’s silk weaving legacy is reflected in iconic regional clusters such as Kanchipuram, Varanasi, Bhagalpur, Sualkuchi, and Srinagar, each known for distinct weaving styles and craftsmanship.

India is the second-largest producer of silk in the world. As of FY25, 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 52,500 villages. India produces four types of natural silks: Mulberry, Eri, Tasar, and Muga.

Share of silk type in India’s total silk production (FY26 till January 2026)

Source: Central Silk Board of India, Ministry of Textiles

The country produces silk garments, made-ups, fabrics, yarns, carpets, shawls, scarves, cushion covers, and accessories through the raw material. India’s raw silk production has demonstrated a steady upward trajectory over the past five years, supported by expansion in mulberry cultivation and sustained growth in both bivoltine and multivoltine silk output. The area under mulberry plantation increased from 237,578 hectares in 2020-21 to 276,231 hectares during April 2025–January 2025-26, reflecting continued capacity expansion in the sericulture sector. Correspondingly, total raw silk production rose from 33,770 MT in 2020-21 to 41,121 MT in 2024-25, before reaching 35,104 MT during April 2025–January 2025-26, and the production target of FY26 overall is 46,500 MT.

Within the production mix, mulberry silk remained the dominant segment, with output increasing from 23,896 MT in 2020-21 to 31,119 MT in 2024-25, driven by strong growth in both bivoltine and multivoltine varieties. Vanya silk production, including tasar, eri, and muga silk, also remained stable at 8,367 MT during April 2025–January 2025-26, underlining India’s continued strength in niche and traditional silk varieties. The sustained rise in production highlights the resilience of India’s sericulture ecosystem and its importance in supporting rural livelihoods and textile value chains.

India’s silk production trend (MT)

Source: Central Silk Board of India, Ministry of Textiles

Export Trend

India’s silk and silk products export trend (US$ million)

Source: The Indian Silk Export Promotion Council (ISEPC), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, * - April-February 2026

India’s silk exports recorded strong growth during April 2025–February 2026, with total exports increasing by 36.8% to US$ 394.8 million from US$ 288.6 million in the corresponding period of the previous year. The growth was primarily driven by a sharp rise in exports of natural silk yarn, fabrics and made-ups, which surged by 85.7% to US$ 212.6 million, accounting for more than half of total silk export earnings.

Among other major product categories, silk carpets registered robust growth of 31.8%, reaching US$ 51.5 million, while exports of handloom silk products increased by 10.7% to US$ 28.4 million. Silk waste exports also recorded a moderate growth of 5.8% to US$ 31.6 million. In contrast, exports of silk readymade garments declined by 7.9% to US$ 70.5 million, while raw silk exports fell sharply to US$ 0.3 million.

The share of other products in India’s total silk exports were as follows – silk waste (12.24%), raw silk (0.13%) and silk carpet (13.19%). 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 exports during April 2025–January 2026 were heavily concentrated in key international markets, with the United Arab Emirates emerging as the largest destination. Exports to the UAE stood at US$ 185.59 million, accounting for more than half of India’s total silk exports during the period, highlighting its significance as a major trading and redistribution hub for silk fabrics, garments, and made-ups. The United States ranked as the second-largest destination with exports worth US$ 33.54 million, followed by China (US$ 27.57 million), reflecting steady demand from both consumer and manufacturing-oriented markets.

Other notable destinations included Italy (US$ 8.69 million), the United Kingdom (US$ 7.82 million), France (US$ 7.65 million), and Singapore (US$ 6.66 million). Additional demand from Australia, Germany and Nepal further underscores the diversified global footprint of India’s silk exports. With total exports reaching US$ 331.06 million, the sector continues to benefit from India’s strong reputation in premium silk fabrics, apparel, carpets, and heritage textile products across international markets.

Country-wise share of India’s silk exports during FY26 (April-January 2026)

Source: Department of Commerce

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 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)