Sericulture: Breeding of the Silkworm for Threads, Handicrafts, and Export

Sericulture — the breeding of the silkworm (Bombyx mori) for the production of cocoons and silk thread — is one of the most traditional agro-industrial activities in Paraná and São Paulo, with Brazil being one of the largest global exporters of silk thread to Japan and China. Brazilian silk has international recognition for its superior quality, fine texture, and luster.

The Brazilian silk chain is dominated by the company Bratac (Silk Spinning), which provides the larvae, mulberry trees, and purchases cocoons from sericulturists. It is an integrated support system similar to tobacco — but with a product of very high value and without the health liabilities of tobacco.

When sericulture is conducted with healthy mulberry trees, proper management of the larvae, and quality cocoons, this segment can greatly contribute to job and income generation in Brazil.

Join our strategic actions for the implementation of the best solutions in the Brazilian agricultural sector. Our activities, studies, and advanced research encompass 20 chains and the 255 segments of the national agribusiness — from the grain chain to sustainable extractivism, including horticulture, fruit farming, livestock, and much more.

The series Innovation For Brazil to Produce More was developed to identify and implement the best available solutions in Brazil and worldwide, across the 255 segments of the agribusiness sector — with accessible technical language, updated data, and a focus on practical results for producers, suppliers, government officials, and marketers.

1.  Opportunities for Small Rural Producers

How to conduct sericulture efficiently and with quality cocoons

Efficient sericulture begins with the planting of high-quality mulberry trees — mulberry is the only food for the silkworm. Mulberry leaves with high protein and water content produce larvae with higher cocoon yield.

✔    Mulberry: high protein content varieties — Calabresa, Ribeirão Branco Selection

✔    Breeding on tables: temperature 23 to 27°C; humidity 70 to 80%

✔    Cycle of 25 to 28 days from larva to cocoon

✔    Disease control: flacherie and grasserie — the main losses

✔    Integration with Bratac — complete support with guaranteed purchase

The E-Book 01 — Strategic Manual for the Small Rural Producer presents, in detail, the best solutions for this segment and another 254 in Brazilian agribusiness — focusing on method, cost reduction, and progressive growth from Agro 1.0 to Agro 6.0. Access now for BRL 99.00 →

2.  Opportunities for Micro and Small Local Suppliers

What equipment does sericulture demand

Sericulture requires breeding sheds, tables, and management equipment — all provided or financed by Bratac for integrated sericulturists.

Solutions by area of engineering applied to the segment

Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover six main areas of engineering — and the chain requires solutions in all of them:

Electrical Engineering and Computing — control of temperature and humidity in the shed;

Electronic Engineering and IoT — temperature and humidity sensors;

Control and Automation Engineering — ventilation systems for the shed;

Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering — breeding tables and management equipment;

Renewable Energy Engineering — solar energy for the silk shed;

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence — cycle management and cocoon quality.

✔    Climate-controlled breeding sheds

✔    Larvae breeding tables

✔    Cocoon harvesting equipment

✔    Integration with Bratac for complete support

✔    Consultancy in sericulture for beginner producers

The E-Book 02 — Strategic Guide for the Micro and Small Local Supplier maps, segment by segment, the business opportunities — focusing on IoT, energy, automation, and specialized technical services. Access now for BRL 99.00 →

3.  Opportunities for Municipal Governments

How the municipality can support sericulture and create a silk textile hub

Integrated sericulture with Bratac is the model of lowest risk and highest income security in alternative livestock — with guaranteed purchase and complete support.

✔    Partnership with Bratac for a sericulture integration program

✔    Municipal IDM: active sericulturists and produced cocoons

✔    Silk Festival — cultural identity and tourism

✔    Silk crafts as a product of identity

✔    Sericulture school for rural youth

The E-Book 03 — Reference Guide for Municipal Governments presents step-by-step guidance for municipal secretaries and managers to implement effective public policies for the 255 segments of agribusiness. Access now for BRL 99.00 →

4.  Opportunities for Small Agro Products Merchants

How sericulture generates business for premium textiles and crafts

The Brazilian silk cocoon yields 300 to 400m of thread per cocoon — with quality recognized by Japan as the best in the world. The integrated sericulturist has an income of R$ 15,000 to R$ 40,000 per 28-day cycle with 100 egg boxes.

For textile crafts, the artisanal silk thread dyed with natural dyes is a highly valuable sustainable fashion product — and the sericulture municipality that develops silk crafts creates culturally distinctive products with a growing market.

Products with high commercial potential

The main products derived from this segment for local retail and foodservice:

Silk cocoons for spinning — Bratac integration; guaranteed income;

Artisanal silk thread — premium textile;

Silk crafts with natural dyes — sustainable fashion;

Artisanal silk scarves and shawls — identity product;

Silk cocoon oil (protein) — growing cosmetic;

Sericulture tourism — cultural visitation.

Merchant profiles and their specific opportunities

✔    Integrated sericulturists: cocoon for Bratac with guaranteed income

✔    Textile artisans: artisanal silk thread and fabric

✔    Fashion designers: certified Brazilian artisanal silk

✔    Cosmetics: silk protein extract

✔    Tourism: visit to silk moth shed

✔    Exporters: artisanal silk for the Japanese and European markets

Growth strategies for local merchants

The sericulturist who combines Bratac integration + local silk crafts has guaranteed income from integration and premium revenue from crafts — two business models from the same raw material with completely distinct markets.

PRONAF and BRDE cover sericulture in the South. Bratac finances the integrated support. SEBRAE subsidizes crafts.

The E-Book 04 — Strategic Guide for the Small Agro Products Merchant maps 30 merchant profiles and details growth opportunities across all 255 agribusiness segments. Access now for BRL 99.00 →

Innovation and Technology Network

By purchasing any e-book in the series, you become a member of our Innovation and Technology Network. Groups with 30 members can organize and fund in-person strategic planning events to identify and implement the best available solutions in Brazil and worldwide.

✔    Small Rural Producers

✔    Micro and Small Supplier Enterprises

✔    Municipal Governments

✔    Small Agro Products Merchants

⭐  Special offer: I will provide 100% discount on the value of my working hours for the 10 pioneer events organized by 11/30/26 and held in December 2026. Therefore, the 10 pioneer groups will only cover the general expenses.

Sincerely,

Ivo Alves

CEO · Master in Electrical Engineering and Computing · Specialist in Innovation and Technology Project Management

Lecturer: IFPB and UFRN  ·  38 years of experience in Engineering