Revitalizing Iran’s Silk Industry: Toward Self-Sufficiency, Reduced Imports, and Sustainable Growth
Iran’s silk industry is entering a new era of revitalization, as national strategies and government-backed programs aim to reduce reliance on imports and restore the country’s historical prominence in sericulture. A combination of policy support, infrastructure development, and rural entrepreneurship is pushing the domestic silk supply chain toward self-sufficiency.
Currently, the Iranian carpet industry consumes around 600 metric tons of silk yarn annually. Approximately half of this demand—300 tons—is now supplied by domestic producers. This shift comes as sericulture regains popularity across rural regions, driven by increased interest in silkworm farming and greater public access to silkworm eggs.
Since the start of 2025, silkworm egg distribution programs have reached 15 provinces, including Khorasan Razavi, Mazandaran, Golestan, Isfahan, Bushehr, and Kerman. This expansion is aligned with climate conditions to ensure regional compatibility. The result has been a notable increase in domestic cocoon production, and with it, a 25% decline in silk yarn imports. Today, over 53% of the carpet industry’s raw silk needs are met locally—a significant leap from 28% just a few years ago.
Infrastructure Development and Mulberry Plantation Renewal
Sericulture’s resurgence depends heavily on the availability of mulberry leaves, the sole food source for silkworms. To meet growing demand, Iran has launched an ambitious plan to rehabilitate its mulberry orchards. In 2025, nearly 2.3 million mulberry cuttings were planted with expectations that over 1.15 million grafted saplings will mature into productive trees. These saplings are being distributed across ten provinces, including Gilan, Mazandaran, East Azerbaijan, Semnan, and Zanjan, through a collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Forests, Range, and Watershed Management Organization.
This initiative is part of Iran’s broader “One Billion Tree” afforestation program, which aims to enhance rural livelihoods, reduce deforestation, and increase national self-reliance in silk yarn production. The goal is to replace aging or converted orchards—many of which have suffered from land-use changes over the past two decades—with modern, high-yield mulberry plantations.
Government Support and Long-Term Vision
Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture has intensified its support for sericulture through subsidies for inputs such as improved mulberry saplings, silkworm eggs, fertilizers, and pest control. Insurance coverage for silkworm farmers and new educational initiatives have also been introduced to empower rural producers and ensure quality control throughout the value chain.
Last year, silkworm farmers paid only 800 tomans per improved sapling, with the majority of the cost covered by the government. Out of approximately 13,000 hectares of mulberry orchards across Iran, 9,000 hectares have now been rehabilitated to meet modern standards, offering higher yields and improved resilience.
Additionally, Iran is exploring the potential for bi-annual silkworm farming cycles. In provinces with favorable climatic conditions, fall silkworm cultivation has already been piloted, offering farmers the opportunity to double their annual output and earnings.
Global Context and Regional Opportunity
Globally, silk remains a premium fiber, with China and India dominating production. However, Iran’s historical legacy in silk, dating back to the Silk Road era, positions it uniquely to reclaim a competitive role in the regional market. As global interest in sustainable and natural fibers grows, Iran’s silk—produced under traditional, low-impact methods—has the potential to serve niche markets across Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
According to international sericulture data, Iran was once among the top 10 silk producers globally. Revitalization efforts underway today signal a strategic opportunity to rejoin that league, offering export potential while strengthening the supply chain for the iconic Persian carpet industry.
With increased domestic production, reduced import dependence, and enhanced rural employment, Iran’s silk sector is once again emerging as a pillar of both cultural heritage and economic resilience.
