Nov 1, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: Japan – Silk Yarn And Yarn Spun From Silk Waste – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.
Japan’s silk yarn market is projected to experience modest growth over the next decade with anticipated CAGRs of +1.0% in volume (reaching 650 tons by 2035) and +1.2% in value (reaching $41M by 2035), driven by rising demand. However, the market has faced significant challenges recently, with 2024 consumption falling to 581 tons (-20.1%) and revenue contracting to $36M (-21.2%). Domestic production declined to just 12 tons, while imports dropped to 604 tons, with China remaining the dominant supplier at 70% of import volume. Despite overall market contraction, export prices increased to $110,864 per ton, and certain export destinations like Thailand showed strong growth momentum.
Key Findings
Market forecast shows modest growth with +1.0% volume CAGR and +1.2% value CAGR through 20352024 saw significant contraction with consumption down 20.1% to 581 tons and revenue down 21.2% to $36MDomestic production remains minimal at 12 tons, representing only 2% of consumptionChina dominates imports with 70% share, though import volumes have declined substantially since 2013Export prices reached $110,864 per ton with Italy and Hong Kong SAR as premium marketsMarket Forecast
Driven by rising demand for silk yarn in Japan, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.0% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 650 tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.2% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $41M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionJapan’s Consumption of Silk Yarn And Yarn Spun From Silk Waste
In 2024, consumption of silk yarn and yarn spun from silk waste decreased by -20.1% to 581 tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, consumption saw a deep contraction. Silk yarn consumption peaked at 1.5K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.
The revenue of the silk yarn market in Japan contracted significantly to $36M in 2024, waning by -21.2% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $75M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
ProductionJapan’s Production of Silk Yarn And Yarn Spun From Silk Waste
In 2024, silk yarn production in Japan shrank to 12 tons, reducing by -5.5% on 2023 figures. Over the period under review, production showed a deep downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 48%. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 68 tons. From 2016 to 2024, production growth failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, silk yarn production dropped slightly to $1.4M in 2024 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 51%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $6.7M. From 2016 to 2024, production growth remained at a lower figure.
ImportsJapan’s Imports of Silk Yarn And Yarn Spun From Silk Waste
In 2024, overseas purchases of silk yarn and yarn spun from silk waste decreased by -18.4% to 604 tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, imports saw a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of 17%. Imports peaked at 1.5K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, silk yarn imports fell to $39M in 2024. Overall, imports saw a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when imports increased by 34%. Imports peaked at $82M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Imports By Country
In 2024, China (421 tons) constituted the largest supplier of silk yarn to Japan, accounting for a 70% share of total imports. Moreover, silk yarn imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Vietnam (146 tons), threefold. Brazil (19 tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 3.1% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China totaled -7.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Vietnam (-7.9% per year) and Brazil (-9.0% per year).
In value terms, China ($26M) constituted the largest supplier of silk yarn and yarn spun from silk waste to Japan, comprising 66% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Vietnam ($11M), with a 28% share of total imports. It was followed by Brazil, with a 4.4% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value from China amounted to -6.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Vietnam (-6.3% per year) and Brazil (-8.5% per year).
Imports By Type
Silk yarn (375 tons), yarn spun from silk waste (229 tons) and silk yarn and yarn spun from silk waste, put up for retail sale (6 kg) were the main products of silk yarn imports to Japan.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for silk yarn (with a CAGR of -8.1%), while purchases for the other products experienced a decline.
In value terms, silk yarn ($28M) constituted the largest type of silk yarn and yarn spun from silk waste supplied to Japan, comprising 72% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by yarn spun from silk waste ($11M), with a 28% share of total imports.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the value of silk yarn imports amounted to -6.8%. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: yarn spun from silk waste (-5.7% per year) and silk yarn and yarn spun from silk waste, put up for retail sale (-30.3% per year).
Import Prices By Type
The average silk yarn import price stood at $64,904 per ton in 2024, picking up by 6.8% against the previous year. Over the last eleven years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.
Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was silk yarn and yarn spun from silk waste, put up for retail sale ($479,000 per ton), while the price for yarn spun from silk waste ($47,814 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by silk yarn and yarn spun from silk waste, put up for retail sale; silk-worm gut (+21.0%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
The average silk yarn import price stood at $64,904 per ton in 2024, rising by 6.8% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when the average import price increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum in 2024 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($92,251 per ton), while the price for Thailand ($39,869 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+3.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsJapan’s Exports of Silk Yarn And Yarn Spun From Silk Waste
Silk yarn exports from Japan skyrocketed to 35 tons in 2024, jumping by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a noticeable curtailment. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at 61 tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, silk yarn exports soared to $3.9M in 2024. Overall, exports, however, saw a perceptible contraction. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $5.6M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.
Exports By Country
China (9.2 tons), Italy (6.9 tons) and Hong Kong SAR (5.6 tons) were the main destinations of silk yarn exports from Japan, with a combined 62% share of total exports. The United States, Germany, Vietnam and Thailand lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Thailand (with a CAGR of +21.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest markets for silk yarn exported from Japan were Italy ($1.3M), Hong Kong SAR ($1.1M) and the United States ($504K), with a combined 74% share of total exports. China, Germany, Vietnam and Thailand lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 19%.
Among the main countries of destination, Thailand, with a CAGR of +6.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports By Type
Yarn spun from silk waste (20 tons), silk yarn (11 tons) and silk yarn and yarn spun from silk waste, put up for retail sale (4.5 tons) were the main products of silk yarn exports from Japan.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the major product types, was attained by silk yarn and yarn spun from silk waste, put up for retail sale (with a CAGR of +0.0%), while the other products experienced a decline.
In value terms, yarn spun from silk waste ($1.8M), silk yarn ($1.7M) and silk yarn and yarn spun from silk waste, put up for retail sale ($389K) appeared to be the most exported types of silk yarn and yarn spun from silk waste from Japan worldwide.
Silk yarn and yarn spun from silk waste, put up for retail sale, with a CAGR of -1.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main product categories over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced a decline.
Export Prices By Type
The average silk yarn export price stood at $110,864 per ton in 2024, growing by 5.5% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2024 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.
There were significant differences in the average prices for the major types of exported product. In 2024, the product with the highest price was silk yarn ($160,154 per ton), while the average price for exports of silk yarn and yarn spun from silk waste, put up for retail sale ($87,411 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for the following types: silk yarn (+4.3%), while the prices for the other products experienced mixed trend patterns.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the average silk yarn export price amounted to $110,864 per ton, with an increase of 5.5% against the previous year. Over the last eleven-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 18%. The export price peaked in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.
There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($202,557 per ton), while the average price for exports to Germany ($45,790 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Hong Kong SAR (+7.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.
Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform
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