Kashmir's Handmade Advantage

People around the world are buying more handmade goods these days.

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Shoppers in Europe, the Gulf, and North America want the real thing, rather than factory copies. Kashmir sits in a strong position to meet that demand.

The artisans already have the talent. What they need most is larger scale, sharper branding, and much easier ways to reach buyers.

The export numbers tell a mixed story. Handicrafts still bring in money, but many artisans say their margins are shrinking fast. Middlemen still control the supply chains and take most of the profit. Raw materials cost more than ever. Young people hesitate to enter these trades because the work brings pride but very little stable income. Families who once passed carpet-weaving from one generation to the next now push their children toward service sectors instead.