Product intelligence · HS 500400 · 2024 data

Silk: yarn (other than yarn spun from silk waste), not put up for retail sale

Global exports of silk: yarn (other than yarn spun from silk waste), not put up for retail sale totalled $260,913,985 in 2024, a -3.5% change from the previous year. Traded by 72 countries across 670 bilateral corridors, with demand from 136 importing markets. The long-term trend is rapid growth.

Data: OECD BIMTS · Coverage: 19952024 · Updated: 2026-07-17

Global trade

$260.9M

-3.5% YoY

3Y / 5Y CAGR

+17.6%

5Y: +3.4%

Supply structure

Moderately concentrated

HHI 0.221

Volatility

Low

Score 9/100

1.

Market movement

In 2024, silk: yarn (other than yarn spun from silk waste), not put up for retail sale trade exhibited slight decline, with global flows reaching $260,913,985 and a three-year compound annual growth rate of +17.6% (five-year: +3.4%). The all-time peak of $341,370,940 was recorded in 2011; the current level is 24% below that high-water mark.

Over the 30-year observation window (19952024), 48% of years recorded positive growth, indicating significant cyclicality with frequent contractions. Trend momentum is strengthening (+19.3% acceleration).

The World Trade Flows Characterization classifies silk: yarn (other than yarn spun from silk waste), not put up for retail sale as "One-way trade" in the medium price range price segment, providing additional context for market positioning and competitive dynamics.

2.

Supply & demand structure

The supply side is moderately concentrated (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index 0.221). The three largest exporters — Romania ($83.6M), China ($74.2M), and Vietnam ($38.5M) — collectively dominate supply flows. The leading exporter has grown at +20.0% over the last three years.

On the demand side, importer concentration is moderately concentrated (HHI 0.159). The three largest import markets are Italy ($91.8M), Japan ($27.1M), and Germany ($22.1M). The largest importing market sources from 21 different supplying countries.

The dominant trade corridor is Romania → Italy at $78.7M, representing 85.7% of the importer's total demand.

3.

Risk profile & trade outlook

The volatility score for silk: yarn (other than yarn spun from silk waste), not put up for retail sale is 9 out of 100, classified as low. Trade flows are relatively stable compared to other HS6 products, suggesting mature supply chains and predictable demand.

For market entrants, contracting demand signals caution before committing resources. A moderately concentrated market rewards differentiated positioning and strategic partner selection.

Data confidence is rated "High" based on reporting coverage and consistency across OECD member and partner countries.

Historical evidence

Annual trade value 19952024

Peak: $341,370,940 in 2011. Currently 24% below peak.

YearGlobal trade (USD)YoY growth
2015$261,203,739-16.4%
2016$243,000,121-7.0%
2017$257,365,342+5.9%
2018$267,243,245+3.8%
2019$220,796,592-17.4%
2020$141,400,101-36.0%
2021$160,625,327+13.6%
2022$217,482,494+35.4%
2023$270,353,601+24.3%
2024$260,913,985-3.5%

Top exporting countries

Ranked by export value of silk: yarn (other than yarn spun from silk waste), not put up for retail sale in 2024.

View all 72 exporters →

Top importing markets

Largest import destinations for silk: yarn (other than yarn spun from silk waste), not put up for retail sale.

View all 136 markets →

Leading trade corridors

Largest bilateral export flows for silk: yarn (other than yarn spun from silk waste), not put up for retail sale, ranked by value. Click any country to view its full profile.

#ExporterImporterValue 20243Y CAGR
1RomaniaItaly$78.7M+17.9%
2ChinaJapan$15.6M+5.3%
3VietnamIndia$12.3M+21.7%
4ChinaSlovenia$11.8M+15.8%
5AustriaGermany$10.7M+275.1%
6ItalyFrance$9.2M+23.3%
7VietnamJapan$8.9M+2.0%
8ItalyAustria$8.9M+135.1%

Showing top 8 of 10 corridors with available data for 2024.

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Sources, definitions & methodology

Data source

OECD Bilateral International Merchandise Trade Statistics (BIMTS). Aggregated from 312M+ reported trade records across 200+ countries and 5,300+ HS6 product codes. Coverage: 19952024.

Key indicators

HHI (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index): market concentration, 0 = fully diversified, 1 = single player. CAGR: compound annual growth rate over a stated period. Volatility score: trade value variability, 0–100 scale.

How this page is made

All statistical content on this page is data-driven, composed programmatically from live OECD trade records. No generic AI-generated prose is used. Analytical paragraphs combine real data points with factual interpretation. This page was last refreshed on 2026-07-17.