Raw silk (not thrown) production in China
In 2023 China produced 50,000 t of raw silk (not thrown), the largest total in the world (53.2% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 62%. The record was 170,000 t in 2015.
The 2023 figure is from an external organisation.
- Production, 2023
- 50,000 t
- World rank
- 1 of 19
- 10-year change
- −62%
- Record
- 170,000 t
- 2015
Raw silk (not thrown) in China, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
China compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 53.2%
- 81.4% in 2013
- 10-year change
- −62%
- world −41%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 50,000 | 53.2% |
| 2 | India | 38,913 | 41.4% |
| 3 | Uzbekistan | 2,037 | 2.2% |
Map of world production of raw silk (not thrown)
Share of the world total; China is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 50,000 | 0.0% |
| 2022 | 50,000 | +7.1% |
| 2021 | 46,700 | −12% |
| 2020 | 53,359 | −22% |
| 2019 | 68,600 | −43% |
| 2018 | 120,000 | −15% |
| 2017 | 142,000 | −10% |
| 2016 | 158,400 | −6.8% |
| 2015 | 170,000 | +7.3% |
| 2014 | 158,400 | +22% |
| 2013 | 130,000 | +3.2% |
| 2012 | 126,000 | +21% |
| 2011 | 104,000 | −9.6% |
| 2010 | 115,000 | −9.9% |
| 2009 | 127,631 | +1.4% |
| 2008 | 125,810 | +0.7% |
| 2007 | 124,979 | +1.2% |
| 2006 | 123,490 | +10% |
| 2005 | 111,950 | +6.8% |
| 2004 | 104,800 | +9.4% |
| 2003 | 95,760 | −4.3% |
| 2002 | 100,100 | +6.3% |
| 2001 | 94,200 | +20% |
| 2000 | 78,200 | +11% |
| 1999 | 70,200 | +3.7% |
| 1998 | 67,700 | +33% |
| 1997 | 50,750 | −1.4% |
| 1996 | 51,450 | −36% |
| 1995 | 80,000 | −4.8% |
| 1994 | 84,000 | +9.4% |
| 1993 | 76,800 | +9.2% |
| 1992 | 70,300 | +19% |
| 1991 | 59,000 | +7.3% |
| 1990 | 55,000 | +9.6% |
| 1989 | 50,200 | +10% |
| 1988 | 45,500 | +11% |
| 1987 | 40,900 | +4.7% |
| 1986 | 39,060 | +0.4% |
| 1985 | 38,920 | +3.5% |
| 1984 | 37,600 | +1.9% |
| 1983 | 36,900 | −0.5% |
| 1982 | 37,100 | −0.8% |
| 1981 | 37,389 | +5.7% |
| 1980 | 35,364 | +19% |
| 1979 | 29,749 | +20% |
| 1978 | 24,800 | +5.5% |
| 1977 | 23,500 | +3.1% |
| 1976 | 22,800 | +3.2% |
| 1975 | 22,100 | +3.3% |
| 1974 | 21,400 | +2.9% |
| 1973 | 20,800 | +5.1% |
| 1972 | 19,800 | +35% |
| 1971 | 14,700 | +8.9% |
| 1970 | 13,500 | +2.3% |
| 1969 | 13,200 | +9.1% |
| 1968 | 12,100 | +12% |
| 1967 | 10,800 | +9.1% |
| 1966 | 9,900 | +10% |
| 1965 | 9,000 | +13% |
| 1964 | 8,000 | +14% |
| 1963 | 7,000 | +12% |
| 1962 | 6,250 | 0.0% |
| 1961 | 6,250 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 2,687 t USD 184 m
- Exporter rank
- 1 of 15
- Imports
- 495 t USD 5.2 m
- Importer rank
- 6 of 37
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of raw silk (not thrown) in China?
China produced 50,000 t in 2023, 53.2% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does China rank in the world for production of raw silk (not thrown)?
China was the world’s largest producer in 2023, ahead of India.
How has the production of raw silk (not thrown) in China changed?
It fell by 62% between 2013 and 2023, compared with −41% for the world. The record was 170,000 t in 2015.
Does China export or import raw silk (not thrown)?
In 2024 China reported exports of 2,687 t (USD 184 m) and imports of 495 t (USD 5.2 m), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2023 figure for China is from an external organisation. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.