Carpets exports up 2% in August

NEW DELHI: India's carpets exports grew marginally by 2 per cent year-on-year to $85.65 million in August 2013, on account of growing demand from emerging markets like China, Latin America and Africa.

In August last year, these exports stood at $83.39 million, according to the data provided by the Carpet Export Promotion Council ( CEPC).

"The demand in the European market is still low, while the American market is reviving. Besides, there is a demand for our carpets in emerging markets such as Latin America, Africa and China," a CEPC official said.

The US and European markets account for over 60 per cent of the country's total carpets exports.

The categories that registered maximum growth in August are handmade silk carpets which grew about 12.50 per cent, handmade woollen tufted carpets at about 5 per cent and handmade synthetic carpets at 10 per cent.

During April-August 2013, carpets exports jumped 11.11 per cent to $457.36 million compared to the same period last fiscal.

In 2012-13, carpets exports crossed the $1 billion mark. The sector employs over 1 million people.