For the silk industry, every crisis is also a turning point, which can accelerate the innovative development and transformation. In 1845, the pebrine disease of Bombyx mori first broke out in Vaucluse, France, and then spread all over the world. It brought a devastating blow to the production in major sericulture countries and regions like Europe, Japan and China. Under the effort of well-known microbiologist Louis Pasteur and other scientists, they used the selection method to control microbial infections, the hazard rate of silkworm disease in most sericulture countries reduced from 20% in the mid-19th century to the level of 1%, which renewed confidence in the silk industry. The silk industry in France, China, Japan, India and other countries achieved sustainable development.

The COVID-19 has been fierce since early 2020, international silk industry and consumer market have been severely hit. China, Italy, France, Brazil and other major silk producers/consumers have been severely affected by the epidemic. Enterprises in various countries faced more difficulties in epidemic prevention, resumption of work, orders, and markets, both the upstream and downstream industries of silk are facing a serious crisis. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 also prompts changes in the silk marketing channels and consumption patterns. Many companies combine the Internet and new technologies to innovate and develop, transform and upgrade to adapt to market changes, fighting the economic crisis brought about by the epidemic.

In order to fully understand the impact of COVID-19 on the international silk industry, study the future trends of the silk industry and consumption, from March 11 to April 10, 2020, International Silk Union(ISU) launched the research of Impact of COVID-19 on International Silk Industry and Consumer Market Trends. The questionnaire covers the basic information of the enterprise, and the impact of COVID-19 on the enterprise and international silk industry. With the support and participation of ISU member units and the industrial organizations, enterprises and research institutions of various silk production/consumption countries, more than 40 silk-related units and 30 silk industry experts from China, Italy, Japan, Brazil, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Indonesia participated in the survey.  Through the analysis and summary of the silk production/consumption data, response measures, and expert opinions of participating countries and regions, this research report is formed, hoping to provide suggestions and reference for relevant government departments, industry associations and business operators.

Full text click:  Impact of COVID-19 on International Silk Industry and Consumer Market Trends

Released by International Silk Union

Hangzhou, China