A. Domestic Market

The production aspect of the Philippine silk industry is presently being strengthened/developed with farmers who continuously build up their capabilities and facilities.

The operation of the village-level silk processing by cooperatives and NGOs is also expected to build up the local production capabilities and initially service the market.

• There are two groups in Maasin, Iloilo and in Antique that are engaged in cottage-level reeling operations producing silk yarns.
• Operationalization of the two silk processing centers in Iloilo and Zamboanga is expected to contribute to the regular production of raw silk/yarn.
• The Municipal Sericulture Center (MSC) in Benguet, which requires two metric tons of cocoons per month for its reeling operations, also helps in sustaining the growth of the industry.
• Aside from the local handloom weavers in the Visayas, the other alternative market for raw silk and silk yarn is Neilino Silk, Inc. Today, Neilino has expanded its product lines to include home furnishings and home accessories. Silk is now also combined with leather, copper strips and sica and are made into uniquely textured table napkins, tablecloths, curtains, pillow cases, bedsheets, comforters, paintings, collage, wall decor, and the like. Neilino requires 300-500 kgs raw silk with 60 and 21 deniers. Only 5% of their requirements are supplied locally.

 B. World Market

Based on the reports of the International Trade Center (ITC) and International Silk Association (ISA), the following are some of the important developments in the world market:

• There is a lot of interest for "blends" and for for the advantages deriving from mixing silk with other fibers, whether they are natural or technical. Lately, silk has been blended with cotton, linen, wool and even polyester. This is one way to answer the challenge from using synthetic fibers.
• Early indications from the fashion market are that after many years that it is dominated by gray and black, colors are coming back into fashion. If this trend is conformed, it will inevitably lead to increase demand for silk, the ideal vehicle of color.
• Knitted silk products may have a resonable growth for a number of silk producing developing countries.
• Consumers in the United States are attracted by garments that are soft, comfortable, casual and easy to maintain like knitted silk.