Alpaca: The fine fiber of the andes
The alpaca is part of the camelid family. It is a cousin of the llama and the camel.
Although alpaca farming is now found across the globe, these animals are native to the high altitudes of the Andes mountain range (primarily in Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Chile). Peru is the world’s largest producer of alpacas, with over 3 million animals. In comparison, the United States has a population of about 265,000 registered alpacas, and Canada has only a few thousand (1). It is important to note that precise data is lacking, as not all animals are registered with the associations that track their numbers.
Traditional farming
Alpaca farming in Peru is predominantly traditional and takes place mainly in the Andean mountain range, at high altitudes. We are honored to work with artisans who are also alpaca farmers. Raising these animals forms the foundation of a unique way of life, deep in the high plateaus of the Andes, at over 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) above sea level. Our alpaqueros partners graze their alpacas on vast natural pastures, where the landscapes stretch endlessly and sometimes appear uninhabited! These highlands are almost completely devoid of trees and are often infertile.
Alpaca farmers care deeply about the well-being of their animals. They are not only their livelihood but also the cornerstone of their life in the Andes. Often setting out early in the morning, they return in the evening with their flock. During these long hours spent watching over their animals, they also engage in spinning and knitting.
We are pleased to collaborate with over a hundred alpaca farmer-artisans and a network of associations and veterinary professionals. The challenges for alpaca farming in Peru are numerous, including lack of succession, living conditions, access to veterinary care in remote areas, genetics, and more. However, in recent years, we have witnessed a movement aimed at revitalizing this form of farming. Several innovative projects are underway, offering hope that it is possible to preserve this unique heritage. In fact, our colleague, veterinarian Oscar, who is also our supplier of knitting yarn, is actively involved in the regeneration of pastures and Andean ecosystems to sustainably improve herd health and, consequently, the quality of life for farmers. Click here to learn more.
Alpaca fiber properties
Soft as cashmere, alpaca fiber was once reserved for Inca royalty. It is not wool, but a fine hair!
» Exceptional thermal properties: 7 times warmer than sheep wool. The hollow fiber is filled with air pockets that retain body heat and wick away moisture.
» Soft, non-irritating, and doesn’t itch.
» Eco-friendly with its 22 natural colors, which we make the most of!
» Hypoallergenic (free from lanolin, which is found in sheep wool, mohair, and angora).
» 3 times stronger than sheep wool
» Very lightweight
No dyeing: one of our missions!
At PachaMama, we are proud to offer knitting and fur products that are undyed.
Nature gives us a beautiful range of 22 stunning alpaca shades. However, the large textile industries in Peru prefer to use white fiber to dye it according to their standards, as undyed fiber naturally has color variations and its transformation is more labor-intensive.
To meet the demands of the industries, the breeding of colored alpacas has been neglected. While efforts have been made to increase the number of colored animals, white alpacas still dominate herds today. Beige, fawn, and brown alpacas are much less common, while gray and black alpacas are rare and even exceptional. – See data in the box below.
By using the true natural colors of alpaca, we are contributing to the revitalization of the diversity of animal colors within the herds.
To celebrate all the colors, we have created a “color rule” for our double-knit products: one side in shades of gray, rose-gray, and black, and the other side in rich tones of fawn, brown, and beige. This allows our artisans to use all the available fibers!
» The image on the side shows the chart used to classify alpacas by color family. It’s a very practical tool that we also work with!
The rarity of colored alpacas
In Peru, more than 85% of Huacaya alpacas are white (2). Of the 15% of colored animals, the majority are beige, fawn, and brown, with only a tiny fraction of alpacas being black, gray, or rose-gray.
Near alpaca farmers for over 20 years
In 2004, we began our journey into the wonderful world of alpaca in Peru.
Step by step, we also built strong relationships with alpaca farmers here in Canada. As a distributor of high-quality products, we are a trusted ally for retailers looking to offer authentic, 100% alpaca items.
