MENA: Raw Silk Market 2025

Raw Silk Market Size in MENA

The MENA's raw silk market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2022, after two years of decline. The total consumption indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -36.8% against 2019 indices. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Raw Silk Production in MENA

In value terms, raw silk production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 73%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Iran (X tons) remains the largest raw silk producing country in MENA, accounting for 95% of total volume. It was followed by Turkey (X tons), with a 1.8% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Iran stood at +7.7%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Turkey (-13.8% per year) and Egypt (+3.7% per year).

Raw Silk Exports

Exports in MENA

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of raw silk decreased by -17.5% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a perceptible expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 320% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, raw silk exports fell to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a perceptible increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 104% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Iran was the main exporting country with an export of around X tons, which accounted for 51% of total exports. Tunisia (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 49% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Iran (with a CAGR of +28.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest raw silk supplying countries in MENA were Iran ($X), Tunisia ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X), together comprising 100% of total exports.

Tunisia, with a CAGR of +23.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, surging by 3.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 57%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($X per ton), while Iran ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tunisia (+0.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Raw Silk Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2022, purchases abroad of raw silk increased by 10% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, imports recorded a tangible increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 66%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, raw silk imports dropped slightly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 91% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Iran was the key importer of raw silk in MENA, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was near 68% of total imports in 2022. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Tunisia (X tons) and Turkey (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 31% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to raw silk imports into Iran stood at +8.7%. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+12.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MENA, with a CAGR of +12.0% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Tunisia (-7.3%) and Turkey (-11.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Iran (+24 p.p.) and the United Arab Emirates (+10 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Tunisia (-14.7 p.p.) and Turkey (-18.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Iran ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported raw silk in MENA, comprising 62% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 21% share of total imports. It was followed by Tunisia, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Iran totaled +22.4%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+10.2% per year) and Tunisia (-7.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -11.1% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the import price increased by 45% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($X per ton), while Iran ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Iran (+12.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform