Interviews
Iran carpet industry confronts new challenges
09 Jan '12
2 min read
The ancient Iranian carpet industry is confronting several modern-day challenges, including competition from other countries and the US ban on import of Persian carpets.
Over decades, there have not been many changes in the working style of Iranian carpet makers and traders and the industry still retains its old traditions. Even chambers occupied by merchants and labourers in Tehran's carpet bazaar have not changed much with times.
The over one million carpet weavers of Iran, who each year earn around US$ 500 million for the country in export revenues, are now facing though competition from carpet weaving factories sprouting in countries like China and Pakistan.
Besides, reacting on Iran's nuclear policies, the US, which was a key export destination for Iranian carpets since lifting of the ban in 2000, has also once again banned imports of Persian carpets since 2010.
In spite of all these challenges, Persian carpets still remain to be one of Iran's second most rewarding export items, next to oil. Some premium quality carpets even reap tens of thousands of dollars.
The kind of carpets used by Iranian families has been a mirror of their financial situation. A one square feet of an ordinary Iranian carpet costs around US$ 20 in the domestic market, which is equal to the price to be paid for around 20 litres of milk or 30 litres of fuel in Iran.
Over decades, there have not been many changes in the working style of Iranian carpet makers and traders and the industry still retains its old traditions. Even chambers occupied by merchants and labourers in Tehran's carpet bazaar have not changed much with times.
The over one million carpet weavers of Iran, who each year earn around US$ 500 million for the country in export revenues, are now facing though competition from carpet weaving factories sprouting in countries like China and Pakistan.
Besides, reacting on Iran's nuclear policies, the US, which was a key export destination for Iranian carpets since lifting of the ban in 2000, has also once again banned imports of Persian carpets since 2010.
In spite of all these challenges, Persian carpets still remain to be one of Iran's second most rewarding export items, next to oil. Some premium quality carpets even reap tens of thousands of dollars.
The kind of carpets used by Iranian families has been a mirror of their financial situation. A one square feet of an ordinary Iranian carpet costs around US$ 20 in the domestic market, which is equal to the price to be paid for around 20 litres of milk or 30 litres of fuel in Iran.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
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