From Bhadohi to the World: How Handmade Carpets Power UP’s Export Push

Bhadohi’s handmade carpets are emerging as an important part of Uttar Pradesh’s export story, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighting the carpet hub’s contribution as the state’s exports cross Rs 2 lakh crore.

Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh has become the fifth-largest exporting state in India, with exports increasing nearly 2.27 times over the past decade. He made the remarks while announcing the inauguration of the 50th edition of the India Carpet Expo, the international handmade carpet trade fair being held in Bhadohi.

The event brings exporters, sellers and entrepreneurs from the carpet industry together in one of India's best-known carpet-producing regions.

Why is Bhadohi important to Uttar Pradesh’s exports?

Bhadohi has long been associated with India's handmade carpet industry, with its artisans and manufacturers supplying carpets to markets around the world.

Adityanath said the district’s carpet industry makes a “major contribution” to Uttar Pradesh’s exports and argued that the sector's traditional craftsmanship is increasingly being connected to global markets.

“The talent of Bhadohi once had to find its own way, but today the government is opening new doors of development, markets and opportunities for it,” Adityanath said in a post on X.

He added that demand for Bhadohi's handmade carpets was helping bring international recognition to Uttar Pradesh's craftsmanship.

What is the India Carpet Expo?

The India Carpet Expo is an international trade fair focused on handmade carpets and floor coverings. The 2026 edition marks the event's golden jubilee.

Adityanath is scheduled to interact with exporters, buyers and entrepreneurs associated with the carpet industry as part of the event.

For Bhadohi, the expo is also an opportunity to position its traditional manufacturing base closer to international buyers and markets.

How much have Uttar Pradesh’s exports grown?

According to Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh's exports have grown by nearly 2.27 times in the last 10 years, crossing the Rs 2 lakh crore mark.

The Chief Minister linked this growth to sectors such as Bhadohi's carpet industry, arguing that traditional skills and manufacturing can become stronger economic assets when connected to wider markets.

He said the government's focus was not only on exports but also on creating opportunities for artisans, businesses and young workers.

What development projects were announced for Bhadohi?

Alongside the carpet expo, Adityanath announced 112 development projects worth more than Rs 1,340 crore for the Bhadohi, Aurai and Gyanpur Assembly constituencies.

Beneficiaries of various government schemes will also receive assistance, according to the Chief Minister.

The announcements come as Bhadohi seeks to balance its traditional identity as a carpet-making centre with infrastructure, business expansion and access to global markets.

For a district whose economic identity has been built around the skill of its artisans, the push is increasingly about turning that craftsmanship into a larger export opportunity.

The India Carpet Expo, therefore, is more than a trade event for Bhadohi. It is a showcase for an industry that Uttar Pradesh is increasingly positioning as part of its broader export and employment story.