While luxury fashion may picture Italian looms, it's the vast herds of Inner Mongolia that truly clothe the world, as evidenced by the fact that China alone produced 70% of the globe's cashmere fiber in 2022, setting the stage for a multi-billion dollar industry where elegance meets complex global economics.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, China produced approximately 70% of the world's cashmere fiber, totaling around 14,000 metric tons from over 120 million cashmere goats.
- Mongolia's cashmere production in 2023 was estimated at 2,500 metric tons, with an average fiber length of 36-40mm classified as premium grade.
- Inner Mongolia region in China yielded 8,500 tons of raw cashmere in 2021, representing 60% of China's total output from 90 million goats.
- The global cashmere market was valued at USD 3.2 billion in 2022, projected to reach USD 5.1 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 6.1%.
- Cashmere apparel accounted for 55% of the market share in 2023, valued at USD 1.76 billion.
- China's cashmere market size reached USD 1.8 billion in 2022, driven by domestic luxury demand.
- In 2022, USA consumers purchased 2.5 million cashmere sweaters, average spend USD 350 each.
- Europe cashmere demand grew 6.5% in 2023, led by Germany with 25% regional share.
- China domestic cashmere apparel consumption reached 1.2 billion garments in 2022.
- Cashmere goat herding in Mongolia emits 1.2 tons CO2 per ton of fiber produced.
- Overgrazing in Inner Mongolia degraded 25% of cashmere pastures by 2022.
- Sustainable cashmere certification covered 15% of global production in 2023.
- Global cashmere trade volume was 18,000 tons in 2022, valued at USD 2.5 billion.
- China exported 12,000 tons of cashmere yarn and fabric in 2023, 65% to Europe.
- Mongolia cashmere exports to USA reached USD 120 million in 2022.
China dominates global cashmere production, while luxury demand drives a growing multi-billion dollar market.
Consumption and Demand Statistics
- In 2022, USA consumers purchased 2.5 million cashmere sweaters, average spend USD 350 each.
- Europe cashmere demand grew 6.5% in 2023, led by Germany with 25% regional share.
- China domestic cashmere apparel consumption reached 1.2 billion garments in 2022.
- Global cashmere scarf demand was 15 million units in 2023, 40% luxury segment.
- Japan imported 450 tons of cashmere yarn in 2022 for high-end knitting.
- Millennial demand for sustainable cashmere rose 30% in USA 2023 surveys.
- South Korea cashmere sweater sales hit 1.8 million units in 2022, up 14%.
- UK high-street cashmere blends demand grew 12% to 800,000 pieces in 2023.
- India urban cashmere pashmina shawls sold 500,000 units in 2022 festive season.
- Global cashmere blanket consumption was 2 million units in 2023, premium 55%.
- Russia cashmere imports for coats reached 300 tons in 2022 winter.
- Australia luxury cashmere demand surged 20% post-2022, 150,000 items sold.
- 65% of global cashmere consumers prefer certified traceable fiber in 2023 polls.
- Canada cashmere accessories demand was CAD 120 million in 2022.
- Middle East cashmere robe demand grew 18% to 200,000 units in 2023.
- 45% of luxury buyers in Europe chose cashmere over wool in 2022 surveys.
- Brazil emerging cashmere market consumed 50 tons in 2023 imports.
- Singapore cashmere retail sales reached SGD 80 million in 2022.
- 72% of Gen Z prefer blended cashmere for affordability in 2023 global survey.
- Italy domestic cashmere knitwear demand was 1 million pieces in 2022.
- UAE cashmere kaftan sales hit 100,000 units in 2023.
- Global cashmere sock demand grew to 5 million pairs in 2023.
Consumption and Demand Statistics Interpretation
The cashmere industry, once the exclusive cloudwear of the elite, is now a globe-trotting juggernaut that cleverly cloaks the world in luxury, from China's billion-garment appetite to the conscientious millennial's sustainable sweater, proving that everyone, from Gen Z to Gulf royals, wants a piece of that premium softness.
Market and Economic Statistics
- The global cashmere market was valued at USD 3.2 billion in 2022, projected to reach USD 5.1 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 6.1%.
- Cashmere apparel accounted for 55% of the market share in 2023, valued at USD 1.76 billion.
- China's cashmere market size reached USD 1.8 billion in 2022, driven by domestic luxury demand.
- Luxury cashmere segment grew 8.2% in 2023, representing 40% of total market revenue.
- Europe cashmere market was USD 850 million in 2022, with Italy holding 25% share.
- Online sales of cashmere products surged 22% in 2023, comprising 35% of total sales.
- USA cashmere import market valued at USD 450 million in 2022, up 12% YoY.
- Sustainable cashmere market projected to grow at 9.5% CAGR to USD 1.2 billion by 2028.
- Japan’s cashmere clothing market hit JPY 150 billion in 2023, premium segment dominant.
- Average retail price of pure cashmere sweater was USD 450 in 2022, ranging USD 200-800.
- Cashmere yarn prices averaged USD 120/kg in 2023, up 15% from 2022 due to shortages.
- India’s cashmere blended fabrics market was INR 5,000 crore in 2022.
- Global cashmere accessories market valued at USD 650 million in 2023, scarves 40% share.
- South Korea luxury cashmere imports reached KRW 300 billion in 2022.
- Cashmere home textiles segment grew to USD 280 million globally in 2023.
- Mongolia cashmere export revenue was USD 250 million in 2022, 10% of GDP contribution.
- Recycled cashmere market valued at USD 150 million in 2023, growing at 12% CAGR.
- UK cashmere retail market was GBP 320 million in 2022, e-commerce 28%.
- Raw cashmere fiber traded at USD 80-100/kg in 2023 Shanghai markets.
- Asia-Pacific cashmere market dominated with 65% share, USD 2.08 billion in 2022.
- Men's cashmere wear market grew 7.8% to USD 900 million in 2023.
- Cashmere price index rose 18% in 2022 due to supply chain disruptions.
- Australia cashmere processing industry generated AUD 50 million in 2023.
- Global cashmere market CAGR forecasted at 5.8% from 2023-2030.
- France cashmere luxury brands sales hit EUR 400 million in 2022.
- Women's cashmere segment held 60% market share at USD 1.92 billion in 2023.
Market and Economic Statistics Interpretation
The cashmere market is thriving on a diet of global luxury cravings and online convenience, yet it’s straining against a tightening supply chain that’s making every soft sweater an increasingly precious—and pricey—trophy.
Production Statistics
- In 2022, China produced approximately 70% of the world's cashmere fiber, totaling around 14,000 metric tons from over 120 million cashmere goats.
- Mongolia's cashmere production in 2023 was estimated at 2,500 metric tons, with an average fiber length of 36-40mm classified as premium grade.
- Inner Mongolia region in China yielded 8,500 tons of raw cashmere in 2021, representing 60% of China's total output from 90 million goats.
- Global cashmere goat population stood at 200 million in 2022, with 80% concentrated in China and Mongolia.
- In 2023, Australian cashmere production from feral goats reached 150 tons, with fiber diameter averaging 15.5 microns.
- Iran's cashmere output in 2022 was 300 tons from 1.2 million goats, primarily exported as dehaired fiber.
- Scotland's cashmere farms produced 50 tons in 2022, focusing on organic certification with yields of 0.25kg per goat.
- In 2021, Afghanistan's cashmere production hit 200 tons, with 40% lost to poor processing infrastructure.
- New Zealand cashmere goat farms yielded 80 tons in 2023, with micron counts below 14.5 for ultra-fine fiber.
- China's Gansu province contributed 2,200 tons of cashmere in 2022 from 15 million goats.
- World cashmere production grew by 4.2% from 2021 to 2022, reaching 20,100 metric tons overall.
- Mongolia's Alashan cashmere grade A production was 1,200 tons in 2023, with purity over 99%.
- India's Ladakh region produced 120 tons of cashmere in 2022 from Changthangi goats averaging 0.4kg yield.
- USA cashmere production from Texas ranches reached 40 tons in 2023, with 16-micron fiber.
- Kyrgyzstan's cashmere output was 250 tons in 2022, mainly from wild goats in mountainous areas.
- China's Ningxia Hui region yielded 1,800 tons in 2021, with advanced dehairing tech reducing waste by 15%.
- Global fine cashmere under 15 microns production was 3,500 tons in 2022, mostly from Mongolia.
- Pakistan's northern areas produced 90 tons in 2023, with fiber lengths averaging 32mm.
- France's cashmere goat farms output 30 tons in 2022, certified organic with 0.3kg per animal yield.
- China's Qinghai province contributed 1,500 tons in 2023 from 12 million goats.
- Peru's alpaca-cashmere hybrid farms produced 20 tons in 2022, blending fibers for softness.
- Russia's Altai region cashmere was 100 tons in 2021, with growing commercial herds.
- China's Shaanxi province yielded 900 tons in 2022, focusing on white fiber varieties.
- South Africa's Boer goat cashmere trials produced 15 tons in 2023, micron 16.2 average.
- Tajikistan's cashmere output reached 180 tons in 2022 from 800,000 goats.
- Italy's experimental cashmere farms yielded 25 tons in 2023, with EU organic standards.
- China's Liaoning province produced 700 tons in 2021, emphasizing sustainable grazing.
- Global colored cashmere production was 1,200 tons in 2022, 6% of total output.
- Uzbekistan's cashmere from 500,000 goats was 140 tons in 2023.
- Canada’s cashmere ranches output 35 tons in 2022, with 15.8 micron fiber.
Production Statistics Interpretation
The global cashmere sweater is knitted largely by China's overwhelming herds, with Mongolia contributing the premium stitches and the rest of the world carefully embroidering its specialized, often finer, threads into the luxurious but fragile fabric of this multi-million-goat industry.
Sustainability and Environmental Statistics
- Cashmere goat herding in Mongolia emits 1.2 tons CO2 per ton of fiber produced.
- Overgrazing in Inner Mongolia degraded 25% of cashmere pastures by 2022.
- Sustainable cashmere certification covered 15% of global production in 2023.
- Water usage for cashmere processing averages 150 liters per kg of yarn.
- Mongolia's cashmere industry uses 40% renewable energy in dehairing plants by 2023.
- Chemical dye pollution from cashmere factories in China affected 10 rivers in 2022.
- Organic cashmere farms reduced pesticide use by 90% compared to conventional.
- Cashmere goat methane emissions contribute 0.8% to global livestock total.
- Recycling rates for cashmere garments reached 25% in EU by 2023.
- Desertification in Gobi region linked to 30% cashmere herd expansion since 2010.
- Blockchain tracing implemented on 20% of Mongolian cashmere supply chain in 2023.
- Energy for cashmere yarn spinning is 45 kWh per kg, 20% from renewables in Italy.
- 35% of cashmere goats in China vaccinated for sustainability health programs.
- Microplastic shedding from cashmere washing averages 500,000 fibers per load.
- Regenerative grazing restored 5 million hectares for cashmere in Mongolia by 2023.
- Carbon footprint of premium cashmere sweater is 25 kg CO2e.
- 12% of cashmere production shifted to certified ethical farms in 2022.
- Wastewater treatment in Ningxia cashmere plants covers 70% capacity in 2023.
- Biodiversity loss in Alashan plateau due to cashmere herding affected 15 species.
- Solar-powered dehairing machines adopted by 50 Mongolian cooperatives in 2023.
- Cashmere fiber biodegradability is 95% within 6 months under composting.
- Herd management apps reduced overgrazing by 22% in Australian cashmere farms.
Sustainability and Environmental Statistics Interpretation
While the cashmere industry is knitting together patches of progress—from renewable energy to blockchain tracing—it remains a tangled yarn where each sustainable thread is matched by another unraveling the planet, proving that luxury's soft touch still leaves a stubbornly heavy footprint.
Trade and Global Statistics
- Global cashmere trade volume was 18,000 tons in 2022, valued at USD 2.5 billion.
- China exported 12,000 tons of cashmere yarn and fabric in 2023, 65% to Europe.
- Mongolia cashmere exports to USA reached USD 120 million in 2022.
- Italy imported 2,500 tons of raw cashmere in 2023, mainly from China.
- Hong Kong re-exported 4,000 tons cashmere products in 2022, hub for Asia.
- USA cashmere imports totaled USD 650 million in 2023, 80% apparel.
- EU cashmere tariff revenues were EUR 45 million in 2022 on Asian imports.
- Japan imported 1,200 tons cashmere fiber in 2023 from Mongolia primarily.
- Scotland exported GBP 150 million cashmere goods in 2022 to global markets.
- South Korea cashmere imports from China hit USD 200 million in 2023.
- Global cashmere top 10 importers accounted for 85% volume in 2022.
- Turkey processed 800 tons imported cashmere for re-export in 2023.
- Australia exported 100 tons cashmere yarn to Asia in 2022.
- Free trade agreements boosted Mongolia-EU cashmere trade by 25% in 2023.
- China-Mongolia cashmere trade volume was 3,000 tons in 2022.
- UK imported 1,000 tons cashmere in 2023 post-Brexit adjustments.
- Vietnam emerged as cashmere processor, handling 500 tons imports in 2022.
- Global cashmere smuggling seizures totaled 200 tons valued USD 30 million in 2023.
- India imported 400 tons raw cashmere for pashmina in 2022.
- Switzerland re-exported 600 tons luxury cashmere in 2023.
- Cashmere trade via Belt and Road Initiative grew 15% to USD 1 billion in 2022.
Trade and Global Statistics Interpretation
The global cashmere trade, a luxurious web of 18,000 tons valued at $2.5 billion, is spun primarily by China and Mongolia, woven into fabric by Italy and Vietnam, taxed heavily by Europe, smuggled recklessly by bandits, and ultimately draped over the shoulders of the world's wealthy, proving that softness has a surprisingly hard and complex economy.
Sources & References
- Reference 1STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 2MONGOLIANCHAMBERmongolianchamber.orgVisit source
- Reference 3CHINADAILYchinadaily.com.cnVisit source
- Reference 4FAOfao.orgVisit source
- Reference 5AUSTRADEaustrade.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 6TEHRANTEXTILEJOURNALtehrantextilejournal.irVisit source
- Reference 7SCOTTISHCASHMEREscottishcashmere.orgVisit source
- Reference 8WORLDBANKworldbank.orgVisit source
- Reference 9NZCASHMEREnzcashmere.co.nzVisit source
- Reference 10GANSUgansu.gov.cnVisit source
- Reference 11ITMFitmf.orgVisit source
- Reference 12MONGOLIATRADERSmongoliatraders.comVisit source
- Reference 13INDIAAGRONETindiaagronet.comVisit source
- Reference 14AMERICANLIVESTOCKamericanlivestock.orgVisit source
- Reference 15UNDPundp.orgVisit source
- Reference 16NXnx.gov.cnVisit source
- Reference 17TEXTILEWORLDtextileworld.comVisit source
- Reference 18PAKTEXTILEJOURNALpaktextilejournal.comVisit source
- Reference 19FRENCHGOATFEDERATIONfrenchgoatfederation.frVisit source
- Reference 20QINGHAIqinghai.gov.cnVisit source
- Reference 21PERUTEXTILESperutextiles.orgVisit source
- Reference 22RUSSIANAGRIrussianagri.ruVisit source
- Reference 23SHAANXIshaanxi.govVisit source
- Reference 24ARCarc.agric.zaVisit source
- Reference 25UNDPundp.tjVisit source
- Reference 26ITALIANWOOLFEDERATIONitalianwoolfederation.itVisit source
- Reference 27LNln.gov.cnVisit source
- Reference 28COLORGROWNcolorgrown.orgVisit source
- Reference 29UZTEXTILEuztextile.uzVisit source
- Reference 30CANADIANLIVESTOCKcanadianlivestock.orgVisit source
- Reference 31GRANDVIEWRESEARCHgrandviewresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 32CHINAMARKETRESEARCHchinamarketresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 33MCKINSEYmckinsey.comVisit source
- Reference 34EUROMONITOReuromonitor.comVisit source
- Reference 35EMARKETERemarketer.comVisit source
- Reference 36USITCusitc.govVisit source
- Reference 37MARKETSANDMARKETSmarketsandmarkets.comVisit source
- Reference 38JAPANTEXTILEjapantextile.orgVisit source
- Reference 39PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERSpricewaterhousecoopers.comVisit source
- Reference 40TEXTILEEXCHANGEtextileexchange.orgVisit source
- Reference 41INDIARETAILFORUMindiaretailforum.comVisit source
- Reference 42BUSINESSRESEARCHINSIGHTSbusinessresearchinsights.comVisit source
- Reference 43KOTRAkotra.or.krVisit source
- Reference 44GLOBALDATAglobaldata.comVisit source
- Reference 45MONGOLBANKmongolbank.mnVisit source
- Reference 46CIRCULARTEXTILEScirculartextiles.orgVisit source
- Reference 47BRITISHFASHIONCOUNCILbritishfashioncouncil.orgVisit source
- Reference 48SHANGHAIFUTURESEXCHANGEshanghaifuturesexchange.comVisit source
- Reference 49FORTUNEBUSINESSINSIGHTSfortunebusinessinsights.comVisit source
- Reference 50NPDnpd.comVisit source
- Reference 51CBIcbi.euVisit source
- Reference 52IBISWORLDibisworld.comVisit source
- Reference 53ALLIEDMARKETRESEARCHalliedmarketresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 54IFMPARISifmparis.frVisit source
- Reference 55TRANSPARENCYMARKETtransparencymarket.comVisit source
- Reference 56NPDGROUPnpdgroup.comVisit source
- Reference 57EUROSTATeurostat.ec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 58CNGAcnga.org.cnVisit source
- Reference 59DATAMONITORdatamonitor.comVisit source
- Reference 60METImeti.go.jpVisit source
- Reference 61MINTELmintel.comVisit source
- Reference 62KOSTATkostat.go.krVisit source
- Reference 63ONSons.gov.ukVisit source
- Reference 64FICCIficci.inVisit source
- Reference 65HOMEFASHIONSRESEARCHhomefashionsresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 66GKSgks.ruVisit source
- Reference 67ABSabs.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 68NIELSENnielsen.comVisit source
- Reference 69STATCANstatcan.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 70GULFBUSINESSgulfbusiness.comVisit source
- Reference 71BAINbain.comVisit source
- Reference 72IBGEibge.gov.brVisit source
- Reference 73SINGSTATsingstat.gov.sgVisit source
- Reference 74DELOITTEdeloitte.comVisit source
- Reference 75ISTATistat.itVisit source
- Reference 76DUBAITRADEdubaitrade.aeVisit source
- Reference 77SOCKINDUSTRYREPORTsockindustryreport.comVisit source
- Reference 78IPCCipcc.chVisit source
- Reference 79NATUREnature.comVisit source
- Reference 80WATERFOOTPRINTwaterfootprint.orgVisit source
- Reference 81ADBadb.orgVisit source
- Reference 82GREENPEACEgreenpeace.orgVisit source
- Reference 83GOTSgots.orgVisit source
- Reference 84EEAeea.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 85UNCCDunccd.intVisit source
- Reference 86EVERLEDGEReverledger.comVisit source
- Reference 87IEAiea.orgVisit source
- Reference 88WHOwho.intVisit source
- Reference 89PLASTIC-SOUP-FOUNDATIONplastic-soup-foundation.orgVisit source
- Reference 90WRIwri.orgVisit source
- Reference 91CARBONTRUSTcarbontrust.orgVisit source
- Reference 92WFTOwfto.orgVisit source
- Reference 93CHINAENVIRONMENTchinaenvironment.comVisit source
- Reference 94IUCNiucn.orgVisit source
- Reference 95BIODEGRADABLEFIBERSbiodegradablefibers.orgVisit source
- Reference 96CSIROcsiro.auVisit source
- Reference 97TRADEMAPtrademap.orgVisit source
- Reference 98CUSTOMScustoms.gov.cnVisit source
- Reference 99USTRustr.govVisit source
- Reference 100CENSTATDcenstatd.gov.hkVisit source
- Reference 101CENSUScensus.govVisit source
- Reference 102ECec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 103CUSTOMScustoms.go.jpVisit source
- Reference 104GOVgov.scotVisit source
- Reference 105KCUSTOMSkcustoms.go.krVisit source
- Reference 106WTOwto.orgVisit source
- Reference 107TUIKtuik.gov.trVisit source
- Reference 108DFATdfat.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 109EEASeeas.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 110MOFCOMmofcom.gov.cnVisit source
- Reference 111UKTRADEINFOuktradeinfo.comVisit source
- Reference 112GSOgso.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 113INTERPOLinterpol.intVisit source
- Reference 114DGFTdgft.gov.inVisit source
- Reference 115EZVezv.admin.chVisit source
- Reference 116BELTANDROADbeltandroad.newsVisit source