In India, most raw silk is produced in the southern states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Woven silk is produced in many places in India, but the most famous silk saris are produced in Banares (Varanasi) in Uttar Pradesh.
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China is the largest producer of silk in the world, accounting for the majority of global silk production. The country has a long history of silk production and is known for its high-quality silk products.
Silk in India primarily comes from sericulture, the cultivation of silkworms, particularly the Bombyx mori species. These silkworms feed on mulberry leaves and spin cocoons, which are then harvested to extract silk threads. India is one of the largest producers of silk globally, with states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu being notable hubs for silk production. Additionally, India also imports silk from countries like China and Japan to meet its demand.
China is the leading producer of silk, accounting for approximately 70-80% of global production. Other significant producers include India, Uzbekistan, and Thailand.
Silk cloth originated in China, where it was produced for thousands of years, but it was not exclusively made there. As trade routes like the Silk Road expanded, silk production spread to other regions, including Japan, India, and Persia. Over time, various countries developed their own silk industries, leading to a broader global production of silk textiles.
No, silk production involves carefully unraveling the silk threads from the cocoons of silkworms without harming the worms.
Yes, silk has been produced by silk worms in America, particularly during the 19th century when sericulture (the cultivation of silkworms for silk production) was promoted in several states, including California and North Carolina. However, American silk production never reached the scale of countries like China or India, where the industry is deeply rooted in tradition. Today, while there are a few small-scale silk producers in the U.S., the majority of silk consumed is imported.
In 1995, over 30 countries were reported as producing silk, the two largest silk producers were China producing 54% and India producing 14%.
India
Several companies and countries are known for producing and selling raw silk, including major players like China, India, and Thailand. In China, companies like Suzhou No. 1 Silk Factory and Hangzhou Jinchang Silk Co. are prominent. In India, firms such as Bhagalpur Silk and Rajmahal Silks are well-known for their silk production. These companies typically source silk from local sericulture farmers and then process it for sale in both domestic and international markets.