The price of silk ties and handkerchiefs is expected to rise, as the cost of silk has soared to the highest level in at least 15 years. China is the largest supplier of silk in the world, but rapid industrialization has taken away valuable farmland from the industry.
According to Chinese Cocoon Silk spanaction market (China Cocoon and Silk Exchange) data, cocoons (valuable clothing used) Fabric The price of raw materials has doubled since the beginning of 2009, and rose to 92 thousand and 700 yuan (13 thousand and 577 US dollars) per ton in mid April.
European traders and braids say similar trends have occurred in raw silk prices in international trade. "Every day and every week, prices are rising," said Christian Morel Journel, a Lyon merchant in France.
The urbanization of the main sericultural areas near Shanghai has reduced the planting area of mulberry trees, and mulberry leaves are the only food for silkworms.
"It's like appearing in a big city in the champagne area and robbed the land where the famous wine was originally produced," Morel Journel regretted.
According to the International Sericultural Commission, China's output fell 15% to 84 thousand tons last year, and the drought started at the end of 2009 has further reduced production. China accounts for 70% of the world's raw silk output.
As raw silk prices rise, the cost of other natural fibers is also surging: the price of coarse wool used for carpet has soared to its highest level since 1980, and cotton prices have approached 14 year highs.
Raw silk accounts for only a small part of the final price of high-grade silk clothing. But in Suffolk County, England, it has 270 years of history, to Burberry (Burberry) and Ralph Lauren (Ralph Lauren). brand David Tus, David chairman of Vanners, a silk weaving company, expects retail prices to rise by 10%-20% in the near future.
With the advent of cheaper and easier to clean man-made fibers, silk demand has declined in modern times.
The drop in supply is coincided with the rise in demand, and thus the rise in demand. market Squeezing.
