Lucknow: Shipment of over Rs 10 crore worth of finished chikankari and zardozi garments made in Lucknow have been halted due to uncertainty in international routes and the closure of Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.The handicraft sector remains an important part of Lucknow’s economy. Chikankari and zardozi together generate around Rs 1500-2000 crore annually through exports. While Europe continues to be a major destination for these handcrafted garments, West Asian countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia are also key markets where demand remains steady during festival and wedding seasons. A chikankari export trader in Chowk, Zeeshan Ali, said: “Buyers are in touch with us, but everyone is waiting for clarity on the shipping situation before confirming dispatch.” Another exporter in Chowk dealing in zardozi garments, Sadiq Alam, said the situation has affected business schedules. “If the situation continues, it will also affect the work cycle and payments of artisans who depend on regular production,” he said. According to Chikankari Association president Sanjeev Agrawal, about Rs 10–15 crore worth of chikankari stock is ready but stuck due to disruptions in export routes. The slowdown is also being felt by artisans. “In the past few days, the demand for work has reduced. Usually, we receive regular pieces to embroider, but lately the orders have slowed down. When export orders decrease, the work reaching artisans like us also declines,” said Shabana, an artisan.
