Turkmenistan Sericulture Report - News Central Asia (nCa)

nCa-AI Collaborative Report

Sericulture in Turkmenistan: A Comprehensive Analysis

Introduction

Sericulture, the cultivation of silkworms to produce silk, is a significant yet understudied sector in Turkmenistan’s economy. Rooted in centuries-old traditions, it contributes to the textile industry and holds cultural importance, as evidenced by its 2022 inclusion in UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list (UNESCO). This report examines the annual volume of silkworm cultivation, silk yarn yields, public and private sector involvement, growth trajectories, the role of mulberry trees, and Turkmenistan’s position in the global silk market, including strategies to enhance its market share.

Annual Volume of Silkworm Cultivation

Turkmenistan’s sericulture industry focuses on producing silkworm cocoons, the raw material for silk. In 2023, the country planned to maintain cocoon production at 2,300 tons, matching the 2022 output, which exceeded this target (Interfax News). This production is distributed across five regions, as shown in the table below:

Region	Cocoon Production (2023, tons)	Cocoon Production (2024, tons)
Akhal	300	155
Balkan	50	25
Dashoguz	500	500
Lebap	1,010	1010
Mary	440	410
Total	2300	2100

In 2021, production was slightly lower at 2,100 tons, indicating a modest increase by 2022 (Turkmenistan Government). The target for 2023 was 2300, lowered to 2100 tons in 2024, returning the production level of 2021.

Yield of Silk Yarn

Silk yarn is derived from cocoons through reeling and spinning processes. The Ashkhabad Filature, a major state-owned facility, processes 500 tons of cocoons annually to produce 260 tons of silk yarn, a conversion ratio of 52% (Yarns and Fibers). Applying this ratio to the national cocoon production of 2,300 tons, Turkmenistan’s total silk yarn output is estimated at approximately 1,196 tons per year. However, this figure is an extrapolation, as data on other processing facilities are scarce. Variations in cocoon quality or processing efficiency could affect actual yields.

Public and Private Sector Entities

Public Sector

Sericulture in Turkmenistan is predominantly state-controlled, reflecting the country’s centralized economic model. Key public entities include:

Ashkhabad Filature: Established in 1928, this is the oldest and most prominent silk production facility, employing 500 workers and operating eight modernized production lines. It processes 500 tons of cocoons into 260 tons of silk yarn annually, meeting domestic needs and supporting exports to countries like South Korea and India (Yarns and Fibers).
Ministry of Agriculture: This ministry oversees sericulture, setting production targets and coordinating with regional administrations to ensure cocoon harvests meet national goals (Interfax News).

Private Sector

Private sector involvement in sericulture is less clear. Trade directories list yarn-producing companies, such as those exporting raw mulberry silk yarn (List Company), but specific roles in silkworm cultivation or silk processing are not well-documented. Companies like Dashoguz Cotton Spinning Factory focus primarily on cotton, suggesting that private silk-specific enterprises are limited. The state’s dominance likely restricts private sector growth in this area.

Current and Expected Growth Trajectories

Current Trends

Turkmenistan’s sericulture industry has shown moderate growth:

2021: 2,100 tons of cocoons produced (Turkmenistan Government).
2022: Over 2,300 tons, a 9.5% increase from 2021 (Interfax News).
2023: Production of 2,300 tons, indicating stabilization.

In 2019, raw silk production increased by 91.8% compared to 2018, and in 2023, it rose by 17.1% from 2022, though absolute figures were not provided (Turkmen Portal). These percentage increases suggest ongoing improvements in efficiency or capacity.

Expected Trajectories

Future growth prospects are promising but uncertain due to limited public data. Factors supporting potential expansion include:

Mulberry Plantation Expansion: Over 2,000 hectares in Dashoguz velayat, with plans for further growth, ensure a robust food supply for silkworms (Turkmenistan Government).
Cultural Recognition: The 2022 UNESCO listing of sericulture as intangible cultural heritage could attract investment and enhance global visibility (UNESCO).
Government Support: State policies prioritize sericulture as a key textile industry segment, with investments in modernizing facilities like the Ashkhabad Filature.

However, challenges such as competition from major producers (China and India) and a lack of clear long-term production targets may hinder significant growth. It seems likely that Turkmenistan will maintain steady production with incremental increases.

Role of Mulberry Trees

Mulberry trees are the backbone of sericulture, as their leaves are the sole food source for silkworms. In Turkmenistan, mulberry cultivation is well-established, particularly in Dashoguz velayat, which boasts over 2,000 hectares of plantations. The government is actively expanding these areas to strengthen the industry’s raw material base (Turkmenistan Government). This expansion ensures a reliable supply of high-quality leaves, critical for healthy silkworm growth and high cocoon yields. The focus on mulberry plantations underscores their indispensable role in sustaining and potentially scaling sericulture.

Global Silk Market and Turkmenistan’s Potential

Global Silk Market Overview

The global silk market is a dynamic and growing sector, valued at approximately $15.6 billion in 2021 and projected to reach $34.1 billion by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2% (Allied Market Research). Key drivers include:

Textile Demand: Silk’s luxurious feel, lightweight nature, and strength make it a preferred material for apparel and household products.
Emerging Applications: Growing use in cosmetics and medical textiles, such as sutures and wound dressings.
Consumer Trends: Rising disposable incomes and a shift toward sustainable, natural fibers.

The market’s growth is led by Asia, with China and India producing over 90% of global silk (International Sericultural Commission). Other producers, like Uzbekistan and Brazil, contribute smaller shares.

Turkmenistan’s Current Market Position

Turkmenistan’s silk production is modest compared to global leaders. Key points include:

Production Output: 2,300 tons of cocoons and an estimated 1,196 tons of silk yarn annually.
Fabric Production: In 2019, Turkmenistan produced 1.4 million square meters of silk fabric, part of a broader textile output (Wikipedia).
Exports: Silk products are exported to South Korea, Iran, India, and Dubai, indicating a presence in international markets (Yarns and Fibers).
Cultural Products: The traditional silk homespun fabric “keteni,” known for its durability and vibrant vegetable-dyed colors, is a hallmark of Turkmen silk (Advantour).

Estimating the value of Turkmenistan’s silk output is challenging due to limited data. Assuming an average silk yarn price of $25 per kilogram, 1,196 tons (1,196,000 kg) could be worth approximately $29.9 million. For silk fabric, 1.4 million square meters at $20 per square meter (a conservative estimate) could be valued at $28 million. These figures suggest a small but notable contribution to the global market.

Strategies to Grow Turkmenistan’s Market Share

To increase its share in the $15.6 billion global silk market, Turkmenistan could adopt the following strategies:

Leverage Cultural Heritage: Promote “keteni” and other traditional silk products as luxury or niche items, capitalizing on their UNESCO recognition.
Enhance Quality: Invest in modern processing technologies to produce finer silk yarns and fabrics, competing with high-end producers.
Expand Production: Increase cocoon and yarn output by further developing mulberry plantations and building new filatures.
Target Niche Markets: Focus on eco-friendly or organic silk to appeal to sustainability-conscious consumers in Europe and North America.
Strengthen Export Networks: Build partnerships with international buyers in emerging markets, leveraging existing trade relationships with countries like India.

However, Turkmenistan faces significant competition from China and India, which dominate global supply. Differentiating its products through quality and cultural uniqueness will be critical.

Conclusion

Turkmenistan’s sericulture industry, while small on a global scale, is a vital part of its textile sector and cultural heritage. With an annual cocoon production of 2,300 tons and an estimated 1,196 tons of silk yarn, the industry is primarily state-driven, supported by facilities like the Ashkhabad Filature. Mulberry trees, covering over 2,000 hectares in Dashoguz, underpin the industry’s sustainability. The global silk market’s projected growth to $34.1 billion by 2031 offers opportunities for Turkmenistan to expand its share, particularly through high-quality, culturally significant products. Continued investment in mulberry cultivation, modernized processing, and strategic marketing could position Turkmenistan as a niche player in this multibillion-dollar market. /// nCa, 23 April 2025 (Images credit Turkmen media)

Disclaimer: This report has been prepared in collaboration with AI and checked and edited by human editors. However, nCa or anyone affiliated with nCa cannot be held responsible for any problems or complications arising from the use of this report. Ed.

Key Citations

– Turkmenistan Plans to Maintain Silkworm Cocoon Harvest in 2023 (https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/87909/)

– Turkmenistan Spinning New Life into Its Silk Industry (https://www.yarnsandfibers.com/news/textile-news/turkmenistan-spinning-new-life-into-its-silk-industry/)

– The Silk Rainbow of Keteni in Turkmenistan (https://turkmenistan.gov.tm/en/post/56839/silk-rainbow-keteni)

– Spring Worries of Sericulture in Turkmenistan (https://turkmenistan.gov.tm/en/post/62888/spring-worries-sericulture)

– Turkmenistan’s Economy Overview on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Turkmenistan)

– List of Yarn Companies Operating in Turkmenistan (https://www.listcompany.org/Yarn_In_Turkmenistan.html)

– Global Silk Market Size and Forecast to 2031 (https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/silk-market)

– Global Silk Market Trends and Projections (https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/silk-market-110379892.html)

– Silk Market Size, Trends, and Forecast 2024-2034 (https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/silk-market)

– Turkmenistan’s Intangible Cultural Heritage on UNESCO (https://ich.unesco.org/en/state/turkmenistan-TM)

– Turkmenistan’s National Treasures: Silks (https://www.advantour.com/turkmenistan/treasures/silks.htm)