J&K handicrafts exports touch Rs 410 Cr till October: Economic Survey
Srinagar, Mar 3: Jammu & Kashmir’s handicrafts sector has recorded exports worth Rs 410.97 crore up to October 2025, according to the Economic Survey Report 2025–26, highlighting sustained resilience in the Union Territory’s traditional craft industry.
As per the Economic Survey report, total handicraft exports stood at Rs 563.13 crore in 2021–22, surged to Rs 1,116.37 crore in 2022–23, and further increased to Rs 1,162.29 crore in 2023–24. In 2024–25, exports were recorded at Rs 733.59 crore, while the sector has already achieved Rs 410.97 crore in 2025–26 up to October.
In 2024–25, exports comprised carpets worth Rs 260.70 crore, woollen shawls valued at Rs 305.50 crore, paper machie at Rs 27.61 crore and other items, including chain stitch, crewel and wood carving, amounting to Rs 139.75 crore.
The Survey notes that handicrafts and handloom activities form a vital part of Jammu & Kashmir’s economic and cultural landscape. The environmentally sustainable and labour-intensive sector supports nearly 4.45 lakh artisans and contributes significantly to the UT’s Gross State Domestic Product. The region is globally recognised for products such as Kashmiri Pashmina, Kani Shawl, hand-knotted carpets and Basohli painting, along with diverse embroidery traditions and walnut wood craftsmanship.
To strengthen skills and promote entrepreneurship, the government has established 634 training centres offering one-year and two-year programmes. Between 6,000 and 7,000 trainees complete these courses annually, enhancing their craft expertise and enabling self-reliance.
The Union Territory currently has 6,969 registered cooperative societies supporting the artisan ecosystem. Under the J&K Self-Reliant Cooperative Act, financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh per cooperative has been extended to 2,198 cooperatives in 2022–23, 1,239 in 2023–24, 249 in 2024–25 and 78 cooperatives up to November 2025.
Under the Artisan Credit Card Scheme, Rs 104.67 crore was disbursed to 6,753 artisans and weavers between 2022–23 and 2024–25, with an additional Rs 8.84 crore provided to 542 beneficiaries up to November 2025. Similarly, the Weavers Mudra Scheme extended Rs 19.80 crore to 1,641 weavers during 2022–25, with Rs 1.32 crore disbursed to 91 weavers up to November 2025.
The Survey further highlights that eighteen crafts have received Geographical Indication status, including Sozni Craft, Kashmir Paper Machie, Khatamband, Kashmir Willow Bat and Basohli Pashmina, while seventeen more crafts are in the pipeline for GI tagging.
In a pioneering initiative, the UT Government has introduced a QR Code-based certification and labelling mechanism for artisanal products. Initially implemented for carpets and later expanded to other crafts, the system enables customers to verify authenticity and origin through smartphones. So far, 51,197 shawls and 19,686 carpets have been GI-labelled under the secure fusion label system.
The Survey also notes that 38 artisans were honoured under the UT-Level Artisan and Weaver Awards–2024 at a ceremony held at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre on November 25, 2025. Several artisans also received national recognition under the Shilp Guru and National Awards for Handicrafts.
Jammu & Kashmir improved its ranking in the Export Production Index to 17th position in 2022 from 35th in 2020, reflecting the sector’s strengthening export performance.
With exports already crossing Rs 410 crore in the current fiscal, the Economic Survey 2025–26 underscores that sustained policy support, skill development initiatives, GI protection and financial inclusion measures are reinforcing the handicrafts sector’s contribution to livelihoods and preserving the region’s rich cultural heritage.
