Popularity of Afghan Rugs Rising amongst Western Markets reports Rug Studio

(EstateNewsWire.com, November 25, 2012 ) San Antonio, TX -- While demand for Oriental rugs has been steadily declining, the call for Afghan rubs is slowly increasing. However, due to global conflicts, fluctuating currency markets, and higher production costs, the time to purchase an authentic Afghan run is never going to be better than it is right now.

Supplies of the finely crafted handmade rugs have been an issue in recent years, given the war on terror in Afghanistan and other extenuating circumstances. The costs for the rugs is slowly increasing as the costs for raw materials to produce the rugs creep slowly higher. Also on the rise is an influx of less expensive imitation Afghan rugs flooding the market.

Afghan rugs have always been one of Afghanistan’s chief exports and many of them often become family heirlooms. They are handed down from generation to generation because they are sturdy, long-lasting floor covering generally made from the finest materials available.

According to a report by the BBC, carpets and rugs were Afghanistan’s biggest export in 2007, with sales totaling over $261 million. By 2011, the sales figure fell to just $46 million. As a result, many analysts are predicting the rugs will fetch higher prices in the very near future.

Although the military situation in Afghanistan can be blamed for much of the falloff in sales. Other issues have contributed to declining sales in recent years as well.

Production costs have increased due to rising costs for labor, and uncertainty around the country’s currency. For example, as the biggest consumer and exporter of Afghan rugs, Pakistan now pays double for Afghan carpets and rugs compared to four years ago.

In general, purchasing a new Afghan rug is a simple process. There are a number of brick-and-mortar stores that offer the rugs for sale, as well as numerous websites online. One issue that is plaguing the industry, however, is the influx of inferior and imitation machine-made rugs. This problem affects both Afghan rug producers and consumers.

As machine-made products filter onto the market, less skilled craft labor is employed by manufacturers so as to generate larger profits. Afghan producers end up with a smaller market, less product, less profit margin, and higher prices.

But it’s not too late – yet. Prices are still within a reasonable range, so this is definitely the time to buy an Afghan rug before another economic downturn or heated relations in the area caused the prices to soar to astronomical heights.

About Rug Studio:

Rug Studio (http://www.rugstudio.com/) is a family-owned online and brick-and-mortar rug store. They have been in business for more than 80 years, based in San Antonio, Texas. They offer a wide selection of floor coverings, along with outstanding service, and are able to ship most of their in-stock product within 24 hours from their 100,000-cubic foot warehouse. For more on rugs, online rugs, safavieh rugs, visit the rugstudio.com website.

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