TEHRAN – Iran’s exports of hand-woven carpet to international markets have slipped 10 percent in the first seven months of the current Iranian calendar year (started on March 21), the ISNA news agency reported on Wednesday.

During the time expansion, according to the head of Iran National Carpet Center Hamid Kargar, Iran could shipped 2,620 tons of carpet worth $142 million to 80 countries across the world, up 3 percent and down 10 percent in terms of weight and value, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

Kargar blamed general market recession and lessoned exports prior to the ease of sanctions as well as producers’ wait for the lifting of sanctions for the price slip.

Particularly, with the ease of sanctions, Iranian carpet producers can sell their products directly to American markets, Kargar stressed.

Over the period, Germany, Britain, and Switzerland were top European customers of Iranian carpets while among regional customers United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and Qatar purchased more carpets from Iran. Also, Chinese and Japanese markets welcomed Iranian carpets over the time, as well.

Iran exported $60 million of hand-woven carpets in the first four months of the current Iranian calendar.

Iran exports 45 percent of its hand-woven carpets to Asia, 43 percent to Europe and the rest to other continents. The Persian carpet has found several new clients for its carpet that include South Africa, Russia, Brazil, China and Indonesia. 

Persian carpets are sought after internationally for their delicate designs and their good quality. The country’s official figures show the carpets have a significant share in Iran’s non-oil exports. 

AK/