West Asia war hits Kashmir carpet exports as global exhibitions in Denmark, China, UAE stand cancelled

The ongoing war in West Asia has cast its shadow on the exports of the famed and much-desired carpets from Kashmir as three top global carpet exhibitions in China, Denmark and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stand cancelled “due to the prevailing situation”.

The Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) of the Ministry of Textiles have informed the carpet sellers of Kashmir about the postponement of two key global exhibitions, the International Exhibitions Copenhagen Lifestyle Expo in Denmark and the Qinghai International Carpet Exhibition, China. Besides, the Sharja exhibition in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been cancelled. 

“In view of the prevailing geopolitical tensions and the ongoing conflict, the event organisers have informed the Council regarding the postponement of the events,” said Dr Smita Nagarkoti, Executive Director of the CEPC. The Copenhagen Lifestyle Expo was scheduled from April 22-26, 2026, the Qinghai International Carpet Exhibition from June 10-14, 2026 and the Sharjah exhibition April 12-14. 

“The revised dates for the Copenhagen Lifestyle Expo and the Qinghai International Carpet Exhibition will be communicated in due course, as and when received from the organisers,” said Ms. Nagarkoti.

The postponement due to the ongoing war between Iran and the United States-Israel bloc and their allies in the Gulf countries has Kashmir’s carpet dealers staring at a bleak export prospects this year.

“The Kashmir carpet industry is already in doldrums and these postponements due to the war will make it difficult. We fear the carpet sales that happen in Kashmir due to tourism will also get impacted,” said Manzoor Sidiq Shah, one of the partners Ali Shah Crafts, one of Kashmir’s oldest families dealing with the carpet sector. 

Sheikh Ashiq, another major carpet exporter from Kashmir, said the exhibitions across the globe are getting either cancelled or postponed, “hitting at the prospects of exports”.

“Iran monopolises the carpet chain in the world and takes other carpet-producing regions along, especially in global exhibitions. The war has hit that chain. It will have a bearing on the exports of carpets from Kashmir too. Carpet dealers in Kashmir were planning to attend the Sharjah and the same was cancelled. It’s these exhibitions that get high-end buyers for Kashmir carpets. We have pinned our hopes on local buyers now,” said Mr. Ashiq.

In 2024–25, Kashmir exports soared to ₹260.70 crore. Since 2022-23, the sector is witnessing a constant slide from ₹357 crore. According to official figures, around 80,000 locals are associated with the carpet manufacturing in Kashmir. Manufacturing and exports saw a jump from ₹84.55 crore in 1990-91 to ₹821.50 crore in 2016-16.