Iran carpet exports sharply declined in 30 years

Due to US sanctions and Iran's internal currency restrictions, Iran's carpet exports are sharply declining. This was reported by Zamin.uz.

According to the Financial Times, by March 2026, Iran's carpet export volume may be less than 40 million dollars. This figure represents a significant decrease compared to the 2 billion dollar export volume 30 years ago.

In 2018, the US intensified sanctions related to Iran's nuclear agreement. These sanctions include trade and financial embargoes, restrictions on oil exports, and measures preventing banks from accessing international payment systems.

Restrictions in the banking sector are seriously affecting exporters, as Tehran forces them to sell a portion of their foreign currency earnings. The decline in exports has also negatively impacted Iran's carpet weaving industry.

According to official data, the number of carpet weavers has dropped from 6 million in the 1990s to less than 700 thousand today. Carpet production volume has decreased from 6 million square meters per year to less than 2 million square meters.

Additionally, Iran has canceled its traditional carpet exhibition. According to the Financial Times, this decision was caused by problems related to electricity supply.

Tehran plans to ease requirements for exporters and implement special measures to support the carpet weaving sector in order to improve the situation.