An Afghan rug (or Afghan carpet is a type of handwoven floor-covering textile traditionally made in the northern and western areas of the country mainly by Afghan Turkmens and Uzbeks.
Afghanistan’s private sector is calling for urgent government support to revitalize the country’s traditional carpet industry, a sector that employs over one million people and serves as a critical source of income for families, especially in the northern provinces.
The Union of Carpet Producers and Exporters has emphasized the economic potential of the industry, urging for improved trade access, alternative routes to Pakistan, and the creation of permanent exhibitions to promote Afghan carpets globally.
“In these 37 stages of production, around 1.2 million people are working, and this number is growing,” said Ghulam Qader Sakhizada, a board member of the union. “The government must pay more attention because this is an industry – one that represents our Afghan identity.”
Despite recent growth in exports, union officials warn that a lack of structured support could threaten the long-term sustainability of the sector.
The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment echoed these concerns while reaffirming its commitment to supporting the industry. “Our exports have nearly doubled compared to previous years,” said Mohammad Younus Mohmand, the chamber’s first deputy. “We assure all those involved in carpet production, sales, and export that we will continue to stand with them.”
Khanjan Alokozai, a chamber board member, stressed the broader impact of the industry: “If we don’t support and utilize it, people will lose jobs, and agriculture and livestock sectors will also suffer. This industry must be revived.”
With its deep cultural roots and economic significance, the Afghan carpet industry remains a symbol of national pride and a potential pillar of economic recovery, if given the attention it needs to thrive.
The Afghan Rug
The Afghan carpet industry is a significant part of the country’s economy and cultural heritage, providing livelihoods for millions and contributing significantly to exports. Despite challenges like ongoing conflict and economic instability, the industry has shown resilience and continues to be a major exporter of hand-knotted carpets.
An Afghan rug (or Afghan carpet) is a type of handwoven floor-covering textile traditionally made in the northern and western areas of the country mainly by Afghan Turkmens and Uzbeks. Over the past decades, the industry is seeing an expansion beyond its traditional area, being expanded to all 34 provinces of Afghanistan.
Afghan rugs have won a number of international awards. The most notable Afghan rugs market in Afghanistan is in the affluent Shahr-e Naw area of Kabul. The cities of Peshawar, Islamabad and Quetta in Pakistan as well as Dubai in the United Arab Emirates are also notable for Afghan rugs markets.
Weaving rugs in Afghanistan is an ancient tradition and business, which probably existed for thousands of years.
Around 1.2 million people are involved in the rug business in Afghanistan. Others have put the number at around 2 million people.
Afghanistan exported over 800,000 square meters of Afghan rug in 2021, which generated about $30 million dollars. Over $8 million worth of Afghan rugs have been exported in the first six months of 2024 to Turkey, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, and Uzbekistan.
Some Afghan rugs are woven by the Afghan diaspora in Iran and Pakistan and some Afghan rugs have been sent to Pakistan, where they are given the label “Made in Pakistan” and then exported to other countries.
The Soviet invasion and subsequent wars affected production, both in terms of scale and down quality. According to official figures, as reflected by Parsons, more than 17,000 m2 were exported to Afghanistan in 1979, meaning between 8,000 and 9,000 carpets and rugs. In 1983 exports declined to about 13,000 m2, by 1988 less than 15,000 remained to be returned. In the 1980s, the company sold a lot of old carpets, rugs, and rugs to Afghan families, meaning it was mostly bought by non-residents.
