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Halfway through 2026, US silk trade data reveals a clear signal: the supply chain is being reshuffled.

US silk import trends 2026 – shifts in global supply chain

According to the latest US Department of Commerce statistics, US silk goods imports totalled $2.078 billion in the first five months of 2026 – down 5.64% year-over-year. Overall demand has contracted slightly, but behind the headline numbers lie more important structural changes.

Some countries are gaining share rapidly. Others are losing ground. If you're sourcing silk for a brand, these numbers are worth a closer look. Import flow changes often signal shifts in pricing, lead times, and quality.

China's Share Is Falling – But It's Still the Largest Source

China remains the largest supplier of silk goods to the US. In the first five months of this year, the US imported $443.9 million worth of silk goods from China – 21.37% of the total import market.

But here is the key signal: that figure is down 23.46% year-over-year.

That is one of the sharpest declines among all major sources. The reasons are multifaceted: tariff uncertainty, US buyers actively diversifying supply chains, and some production shifting to Southeast Asia. Whatever the cause, the trend is clear: US buyers are reducing their dependence on China.

Vietnam and the EU Are Filling the Gap

Vietnam's silk exports to the US grew 21.14% to $260 million, capturing 12.5% of the market – overtaking India to become the third-largest supplier. Vietnam's rise is no accident – it is becoming the primary destination for silk production capacity moving out of China.

The EU also grew strongly – up 17.08% to $284 million. European silk products are positioned at the high end of the market, and their continued growth in the US suggests that demand for premium silk remains resilient.

India and Indonesia Are Losing Ground – Egypt and Thailand Are Rising

India's exports to the US fell 20.93%, comparable to China's decline. Indonesia fell 10.22%. These two traditional silk producers are losing market share in the US.

Meanwhile, a "second tier" of suppliers is growing fast: Egypt (+59.29%), Thailand (+42.72%), Cambodia (+14.51%). Their volumes are smaller, but the growth rates are striking – evidence that US buyers are scouring the globe for new supply sources.

Key Insight

The "de-risking" trend is real. Once a supply chain shift gains momentum, it is difficult to reverse. US buyers are not just considering tariffs – they are actively building redundancy into their sourcing networks.

Why China's Share Decline Matters

For the Chinese silk industry, this is a warning sign.

On one hand, the "reciprocal tariff" threat remains a major factor. The Section 301 tariffs imposed during the Trump administration are still in place, and trade policy uncertainty ahead of the 2026 US elections makes US importers reluctant to rely on a single Chinese supply chain.

On the other hand, the rise of Vietnam and the EU shows that US buyers are voting with their feet. They want to balance tariff risk, lead time stability, and quality in new ways. This "de-sourcing from China" trend – once established – will be difficult to reverse.

Raw Silk Imports Surged 70% – A Detail Worth Noticing

There is one interesting detail in the data: US raw silk imports grew by 70.53% in the first five months of 2026.

Raw silk is the upstream raw material for fabric. This surge may indicate that US or nearshore weaving capacity is reviving – importing raw silk from China, the EU, and India, then weaving fabrics domestically or in nearby countries. This is a trend worth tracking.

If this trend continues, US demand for finished fabrics may decline – while demand for raw silk may rise.

What Does This Mean for Brand Sourcing?

If you are a brand sourcing silk for the US market, here are a few things to watch:

  • Diversification is becoming mainstream. China is still the largest supplier, but Vietnam, the EU, and India offer more options. Compare prices and quality across these sources.
  • Tariff policy is the biggest unknown. The direction of US trade policy after the 2026 elections will directly affect the cost of Chinese silk exports. Diversifying sources early is an effective risk-reduction strategy.
  • Premium silk remains resilient. EU export growth shows that high-quality, high-value-added products are not affected by overall demand contraction. If your brand is positioned at the high end, this trend works in your favour.
  • Monitor raw silk prices. The surge in US raw silk imports may signal a structural shift in global raw silk demand. Raw silk price fluctuations will affect all sourcing costs – worth paying attention to.

The US silk import landscape is undergoing a profound shift. China is still the largest source, but the 23.46% decline is not to be ignored. Vietnam and the EU are catching up fast, and new sources like Egypt and Thailand are quietly rising.

For sourcing decision-makers, these numbers point to the same conclusion: the silk supply chain in 2026 and beyond will be more fragmented and more diverse than in the past. Identifying these changes early is the prerequisite for making smart sourcing decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

US imports from China fell 23.46% in the first five months of 2026. The drop reflects multiple factors: ongoing Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods, trade policy uncertainty ahead of the 2026 US elections, and American buyers actively diversifying their supply chains to reduce single-source dependency. The decline is structural, not just cyclical.
Vietnam and the EU are the biggest winners. Vietnam's exports to the US grew 21.14% to $260 million, capturing 12.5% of the market. The EU grew 17.08% to $284 million, driven by high-end silk products. Smaller but fast-growing sources include Egypt (+59.29%), Thailand (+42.72%), and Cambodia (+14.51%), though their volumes remain smaller.
Raw silk imports jumped 70.53% in early 2026. This could indicate a revival of US or nearshore silk weaving capacity – importing raw material and manufacturing fabric domestically or in nearby countries. If this trend continues, it may shift US demand from finished fabric toward raw silk, changing the sourcing landscape for Asian suppliers.
Brands should consider three adjustments: first, diversify suppliers beyond China – Vietnam and the EU are viable alternatives. Second, monitor tariff policy closely – trade rules are likely to change after the 2026 elections. Third, premium high-end silk products remain resilient – EU exports to the US grew despite overall market contraction, suggesting quality and brand still command demand.

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