Concerned silk growers, stagnating cocoon pricing

Dharmapuri’s sericulturists are dissatisfied with the silk cocoon’s static pricing. They issued a warning, stating that the production of silk would be impacted if few individuals persisted in the manufacturing and trading of silk cocoons.

Summer is often looked forward to by sericulture producers because of the dry season and decreased air moisture content, which enhance the quality of silk cocoons produced. There is virtually little possibility of breaking when using these cocoons to make silk threads, and better-quality thread may be created.

Farmers are concerned this year, meanwhile, about the same pricing. Farmers expressed anxiety about the scenario, citing increases in labor costs, mulberry plantation costs, and transportation costs while no change in pricing. They said that the growth of sericulture may be hampered if this scenario is not addressed.

The Tamil Nadu Cooperative Silk Producer Association’s MG Manivannan said, “The prices of the silk cocoon have reached a minimum of Rs 230 per kg and a maximum level of Rs 526 per kg over the past month.” This pricing is very inadequate. The cost of raw materials and other goods had risen after the Covid epidemic, although the average price of cocoons has only increased by Rs 1,20 per kg. However, farmers invest or spend more money. Although silk cocoon prices have increased, the industry is not particularly lucrative. More than Rs 35,000 is spent per acre by silk producers on mulberry farms, water, transportation, and even expert labor.

R Senthil, a different Dharmapuri-based sericulturist, stated: “The price of silk cocoons is governed by the worldwide silk prices, which are more than Rs 3,500 per kg. For the last four years, nothing has altered in this circumstance. Cocoon costs have also remained unchanged. If growers are unable to turn a profit, it may have an impact on the sericulture industry as a whole.

“The prices have been steady for a few months and there is no problem in the supply-demand chain also,” said officials at the Dharmapuri silk cocoon market. We have one tonne of cocoons per day. More than sixty farmers regularly deal with us. We are unable to provide commentary on silk pricing.