Iran aims for $500m furniture exports in two years
Iran’s Union of Furniture Manufacturers and Exporters has set an ambitious target of achieving $500 million in furniture exports within the next two years, according to union president Hassan Ahmadian.
Speaking to ISNA on Saturday, Ahmadian highlighted Iraq, Afghanistan, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Tajikistan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and various African countries as the primary markets for Iranian furniture exports in the past year, during which Iran’s overall furniture exports hit a total value of $70 million.
These countries, predominantly consumers, represent a sizable consumer market of around 400 million people.
Ahmadian emphasized the untapped potential and capacity within Iran’s furniture production sector. However, he noted that reaching the export targets and expanding exports would require a strong foundation, government support, stable exchange rates, reliable raw material supply, and modernized machinery.
In the first quarter of the current Iranian calendar year, which started on March 21, furniture exports exceeded $15 million. However, Ahmadian acknowledged that export capacity and expectations were even higher as challenges related to exchange rates and material supply have hindered the pace of export growth.
Iran’s furniture industry is a significant contributor to employment opportunities in the country, boasting a turnover surpassing $8 billion. It accounts for approximately eight percent of Iran’s workforce.