The Central Silk Board (CSB) is seeking unexplored markets for silk exports in order to insulate these exports from occasional fluctuations in global market. It is now focusing on non-traditional silk export markets, informed CSB member Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ms. M Sathiyavathy.
The US and Europe are the traditional export markets of Indian silk products. Now the board is exploring Latin American and African markets along with Japan and Australia, added Ms. Sathiyavathy. Last year, the slowdown in USA and Europe led to the fall in Indian silk exports to around Rs 27.5 billion.
In fiscal 2008-09, these exports also showed a plunge to Rs 25 billion against Rs 35 billion in 2007-08. However, the board anticipates growth in exports to touch Rs 32 billion this year, following two consecutive years of fall in value.
Following China, India stands second amid the world's largest producers and exporters of silk products. China contributes 100,000 tons of silk in the total global production of 130,000 tons. India's silk consumption amounts to about 26,000 tons and its output stands at around 20,000 tons. So, the rest of the silk requirement is fulfilled by sourcing it from China.
The government is intending to develop the entire value chain of silk; farmers to weavers to retailers to exporters. Currently, Karnataka is the leading silk producing state of the country that accounts for almost 50 percent of domestic production.
Now, the government plans to produce silk in the state of Uttar Pradesh by bringing more than 3,000 acres of land under silk sericulture every year, which could help to bring the silk production up to 2,500 tons, by the end of 12th Five Year Plan, said Ms. Sathiyavathy. Silk consumption in UP is 5,000 tons, while its production is merely 50 tons.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
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