China produces roughly 75% of world's silkworm cocoons

Workers are busy at a silk factory in Xincheng County of Laibin, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Nov. 4, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's silkworm cocoon production accounts for about 75 percent of the global total, while its raw silk exports represent over 60 percent of the world's total, He Yongqian, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, said on Thursday.

She noted that the ministry, together with relevant departments, has issued a notice on carrying out an initiative to promote the gradual transfer of the silk industry to the country's central and western regions, optimize the regional layout, improve overall development quality and develop new international competitive advantages.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the industry has achieved significant results -- the average annual output of silkworm cocoons reached some 744,000 tonnes, up 11 percent from the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), He said.

Technological innovation has fueled development in this sector, with the number of new patents rising by 45.2 percent compared to the previous period, she added.

China's silk exports hit 1.44 billion U.S. dollars in 2024 -- up over 30 percent from the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period, reaching approximately 120 countries and regions, He noted.