Iran exported $405 million worth of carpets in the first nine months of current calendar year (started March 21, 2010).
The amount shows 18.5 percent increase in terms of value and 15 percent rise in terms of volume in comparison to the same period previous year, the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network reported.
Iran also exported $365 million worth of handmade carpets in the mentioned period.
The figure shows a 24 percent increase in terms of value in comparison to the same period previous year.
The director of Iran National Carpet Center Faisal Mardasi expressed hope that the value of handmade carpets exports will reach $500 million by the end of the current year.
He named U.S., Germany, Italy, Japan, UAE, and Lebanon as the major destinations for exported carpets.
According to Mardasi Iran is the world's top carpet exporter.
The official had previously said that by offering competitive prices, compared to Indian, Chinese and Pakistani carpets, and adjusting the designs and colors of the carpets to global demand Iran could increase its share in international markets.