Alpacas are one of the camelid species, closely related to the llama. The four species of the camelid family can be found in the Andes, with smaller numbers in Chile and Bolivia. Llamas and alpacas are domesticated animals whilst the Vicuna and Guanaco remain wild and are a protected species.

Alpacas were domesticated from the wild Vicuna 6-7,000 years ago. The Incas were responsible in further refining the alpaca for improved fibre quality. However, this development was destroyed when the Spanish invaded Peru in 1532, when alpaca numbers were dramatically reduced in preference to sheep.

Alpaca numbers in South America are thought to exceed 3.5 million, with successful breeding programmes now established in North America, Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa, China , Japan and throughout Europe.

The Future of Alpacas

Within the UK, the demand for top quality alpacas is experiencing a limited supply. Thus, many larger breeders often import top quality animals from Peru, Australia and beyond in order to improve their herd’s gene pool. However, due to the strict rules and regulations placed on the importation of these animals, the associated cost and the transit duration can be off putting to some as cheap imports are not possible.

Alpaca fibre is a highly sought after natural product which unlike sheep’s fleece contains no lanolin. It is a fine, hard wearing fibre similar to cashmere but much stronger. To ensure a viable and competitive fibre industry within the UK greater volumes of fleece are required.

Reliable processing of fleece requires security of quantity and guaranteed high quality if premium rates are to be assured. Therefore it is essential that careful and selective breeding programmes are selected to increase fibre yield and more importantly superiority, if sound and guaranteed profits are to be made.