Italy: Raw Silk Market 2025

Raw Silk Market Size in Italy

In 2022, the Italian raw silk market increased by 73% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, recorded a deep slump. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Raw Silk Production in Italy

In value terms, raw silk production shrank modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the production volume increased by 4.1%. Raw silk production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of raw silk in Italy amounted to less than X kg per ha in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. less than X ha of raw silk were harvested in Italy; remaining stable against 2021. Overall, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern.

Raw Silk Exports

Exports from Italy

In 2022, approx. X tons of raw silk were exported from Italy; dropping by -18.1% compared with the year before. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 34%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then dropped sharply in the following year.

In value terms, raw silk exports shrank to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 42% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then declined in the following year.

Exports by Country

Romania (X tons) was the main destination for raw silk exports from Italy, with a 81% share of total exports. Moreover, raw silk exports to Romania exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France (X tons), tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Romania totaled +1.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (-3.3% per year) and Tunisia (+31.4% per year).

In value terms, Romania ($X) remains the key foreign market for raw silk exports from Italy, comprising 78% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($X), with a 9.6% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Romania stood at +4.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (-2.5% per year) and Tunisia (+33.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average raw silk export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 6.9% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 15% against the previous year. The export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Romania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Romania (+2.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Raw Silk Imports

Imports into Italy

Raw silk imports into Italy reduced to X tons in 2022, waning by -1.7% against 2021 figures. In general, imports continue to indicate a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, raw silk imports expanded significantly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) constituted the largest raw silk supplier to Italy, with a 64% share of total imports. Moreover, raw silk imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Romania (X tons), fourfold. Slovenia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 8.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from China was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Romania (-7.7% per year) and Slovenia (+45.4% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of raw silk to Italy, comprising 62% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Romania ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by Slovenia, with a 9.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China totaled +2.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Romania (-4.4% per year) and Slovenia (+54.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average raw silk import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 13% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 15% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while the price for Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Slovenia (+6.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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