Tehran – Iran is making significant progress toward self-sufficiency in silk production, with raw silk cocoon output expected to reach 1,100 tons this year, according to Habibollah Rezadoost, Head of the National Sericulture Development Center.

 

Rezadoost said the country’s sericulture sector is projected to generate approximately 13 trillion rials (1,300 billion tomans) in income for silkworm breeders this year.

 

“Sericulture is currently active in 18 provinces, led by Gilan, followed by North Khorasan, Khorasan Razavi, Golestan, and Mazandaran. The sector benefits from relatively low start-up costs and provides an important source of rural income.”

 

As part of a national three-year plan to achieve self-sufficiency in silk yarn production, domestic silkworm egg production is expanding rapidly. Output has increased from 5,000 boxes in 1403 (2024–25) to 14,000 boxes in 1404 (2025–26), and is expected to reach 25,000 boxes this year, he said.

 

“To support growth in the industry, Iran has also expanded its mulberry cultivation base, distributing 450,000 subsidized improved mulberry saplings last year. The country currently has around 14,000 hectares of mulberry orchards, providing the primary feed source for silkworms.”