India’s Silk Industry Weaves Growth Story With Rising Production And Exports

India’s silk story blends tradition with transformation, producing 38,913 metric tons of raw silk and exporting products worth ₹2,027.56 crore in 2023–24.

These figures reaffirm India’s position as the world’s second-largest silk producer and top consumer, the Ministry of Textiles reported.

Backed by schemes like Silk Samagra, which has helped over 78,000 people, the sector supports both heritage and rural livelihoods.

Silk Binds Culture And Craft

Silk remains a symbol of India’s rich craftsmanship. Kanchipuram sarees shimmer in vibrant hues, while Bhagalpur’s Tussar silk carries rustic charm.

Each weave reflects the skill of artisans who pass down traditions through generations.

These sarees are made of pure mulberry silk, woven with unmatched precision.

The journey begins with sericulture.

Silkworms feed on mulberry, oak, castor, and arjun leaves.

Within a month, they spin cocoons. Workers then boil the cocoons, extract threads, and spin them into yarn.

The yarn is woven into the luxurious silk fabric India is known.

India dominates in mulberry silk, which makes up 92% of its production.

Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir, and West Bengal lead in cultivation.

Vanya silk, produced in states like Jharkhand and Odisha, offers strength and sustainability.

Though silk forms just 0.2% of global textile output, it fuels India’s rural economy and earns foreign exchange.

Raw silk production grew from 31,906 metric tons in 2017–18 to 38,913 metric tons in 2023–24.

Mulberry plantations also expanded—from 2.23 lakh to 2.63 lakh hectares in the same period.

Exports increased too. Earnings rose from ₹1,649.48 crore in 2017–18 to ₹2,027.56 crore in 2023–24.

India also exported 3,348 metric tons of silk waste, which includes broken fibers and imperfect cocoons that are repurposed into yarn.

The Silk Samagra scheme supports research, seed development, market access, and quality control.

Its second phase, Silk Samagra-2, has a ₹4,679.85 crore budget for 2021–26.

So far, ₹1,075.58 crore has been disbursed to support over 78,000 people, including in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

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