Hand-woven carpet exports to the US will increase considerably after the lifting of sanctions, said the Head of Iran National Carpet Center. “Hand-woven carpet manufacturers must observe the American market and monitor the performance of rival countries so that we can boost our exports in 2016 and regain our position,” IRNA quoted Hamid Kargar as saying. Before imposing direct sanctions on import of Persian hand-woven carpet in late 2010, the US was the primary destination for Iranian exports with more than $82 million worth of imports every year accounting for 16.5% of Iran’s total annual carpet exports. According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, about 10,500 tons of carpets worth $117 million were exported to different countries in the first quarter of the current Iranian year (started March 21), indicating a 15% decrease in terms of weight and 8% decrease in value compared to the same period last year.
