Which Country Imports the Most Silk Woven Fabrics in the World?

Textiles May 28, 2018

Blog Blog / Textiles, Apparel And Leather Goods / Textiles

Author: Sergey Avramenko

PositionHead of Global Markets Research Team

In 2016, approx. 34K tonnes of silk fabric were imported worldwide; dropping by -4.8% against the previous year level. Overall, silk fabric imports continue to indicate a significant downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010, when imports increased by 6% y-o-y. Global silk fabric import peaked of 49K tonnes in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

In value terms, silk fabric imports amounted to $957M in 2016. Overall, silk fabric imports continue to indicate a deep slump. In that year, global silk fabric imports reached its maximum level of $2.2B. From 2009 to 2016, growth of global silk fabric imports stood at a somewhat lower level.

Top Silk Fabric Importing Countries in the World

1. Italy (154.2 million USD)

2. USA (92.0 million USD)

3. China, Hong Kong SAR (52.4 million USD)

4. China (43.8 million USD)

5. India (33.5 million USD)

6. Turkey (29.1 million USD)

7. United Arab Emirates (18.3 million USD)

8. Viet Nam (12.6 million USD)

9. Malaysia (6.3 million USD)

10. Oman (3.6 million USD)

11. South Africa (3.4 million USD)

12. Saudi Arabia (2.9 million USD)

Silk Fabric Imports By Country

In 2016, China (11K tonnes) was the major importer for silk fabric, creating 33% of total imports. United Arab Emirates (4.8K tonnes) took a 14% share (based on tonnes) of global silk fabric imports, which put it in second place, following Oman (7%), and Italy (7%). Turkey (1.2K tonnes), the U.S. (740 tonnes), Malaysia (731 tonnes), China, Hong Kong SAR (587 tonnes), Viet Nam (575 tonnes), South Africa (569 tonnes), India (565 tonnes), and Saudi Arabia (546 tonnes) took the slight share of total imports.

China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. At the same time, Oman (+39.9%), Malaysia (+18.3%), Turkey (+13.1%), South Africa (+9.0%), Saudi Arabia (+8.6%), and Viet Nam (+3.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Oman emerged as the fastest growing importer/exporter in the world, with a CAGR of +39.9% from 2007-2016. By contrast, United Arab Emirates (-2.6%), Italy (-3.6%), the U.S. (-15.3%), India (-17.3%), and China, Hong Kong SAR (-19.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2007 to 2016, the share of China, Hong Kong SAR, the U.S., India, United Arab Emirates, Italy, and China increased by 11%, 7%, 7%, 4%, 3%, and 2% percentage points, while Malaysia (-1.7%), Turkey (-2.4%), and Oman (-6.4%) saw their share reduced. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Italy ($154M), the U.S. ($92M) and China, Hong Kong SAR ($52M) appeared as the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2016, with a combined 31% share of global imports.China, India, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Viet Nam, Malaysia, Oman, South Africa and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 16%.

Oman (+14.1% per year) recorded the highest growth rate of silk fabric imports, in terms of the main importing countries, over the last 9 years, while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

Silk Fabric Import Prices By Country

In 2016, the average import price for silk fabric amounted to $28 per kg, lowering by -5.0% against the previous year. In general, silk fabric import price continues to indicate a deep curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011, when import price increased by 12% y-o-y. Over the period under review, average silk fabric import price attained its maximum level of $48 per kg in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

Import prices varied noticeably by country of destination. the country with the highest import prices was the U.S. ($124 per kg), while Oman ($1,579 per tonne) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of silk fabric import prices was attained by China, Hong Kong SAR (+5.9% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

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