Current status and future prospects of China's sericulture industry

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the development of China's sericulture industry between 2022 and 2024, covering sericulture production, processing and distribution, consumption trends, import-export markets and trade changes, whole-industry-chain benefits, and policy evolution. Summary of the main characteristics of the industry's development indicated that traditional sericulture production remained stable with gradual improvement, while the adoption of new silkworm varieties and technologies accelerated, and egg production became increasingly concentrated in advantageous regions and enterprises. In the processing sector, silk reeling output declined but efficiency improved; food processing diversified; and silk-derived pharmaceuticals showed uneven progress across regions. On the consumption side, silk apparel sales recovered, silk quilt demand grew markedly, and diversified, experience-oriented consumption expanded through the integration of culture and tourism. Meanwhile, imports and exports of traditional silk products continued to decline, whereas silkworm egg exports rose steadily year-on-year. In terms of whole-industry-chain benefits, rising prices of cocoons and raw silk reflected enhanced profitability. The findings suggest that China will maintain its global leadership in sericulture for the foreseeable future, supported by strong comparative economic advantages. However, the limited supply of high-quality silkworm eggs has emerged as a critical constraint. To promote sustainable growth, this paper recommends strengthening strategic planning through the forthcoming "15^th Five-Year Plan" by adhering to high-end leadership, accelerating innovation in the egg industry to fully enhance silkworm egg production capacity; persisting in integrated innovation to focus on advancing equipment modernization, safeguarding market order to strive for increased high-quality cocoon yield, fostering diversified business models and expanding comprehensive resource utilization, and enhancing technical support and service systems.