UP: How war in West Asia is ringing alarm bells for Bhadohi's iconic carpet industry?
Bhadohi: The ongoing war in West Asia is having a widespread impact on the carpet trade, especially of Bhadohi in UP. Carpets worth approximately Rs 2,500 crore are stranded due to the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, leaving cargo ships stranded.
Aslam Mehboob, Vice President of the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC), said here on Wednesday that the carpet industry had just breathed a sigh of relief after recovering from the US tariffs, when turmoil erupted in the Gulf.
The ongoing tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran in the Gulf countries have almost completely halted the movement of cargo ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Container ships carrying carpets are stranded at various locations along the route due to the war.
Zero export orders
The Gulf conflict has created commercial uncertainty in the global market, resulting in almost zero export orders. At the same time, carpets worth more than Rs 2500 crores are stuck on the way due to the blockage of movement of ships from Hormuz State. He told that carpet traders were working on war footing to fulfill the export orders received in the Carpet Expo held in Carpet Mega Mart of Carpet City Bhadohi in October 2025.
Meanwhile, due to the blockage of the business route of Hormuz State, the carpets sent to the foreign market have been dumped at many places. He expressed apprehension that if the scope of the war increases or gets prolonged, then it is sure to have an impact on the 50th International Carpet Fair to be held in New Delhi in the coming month of April 2026.