All about Alpacas

"Alpacas are members of the camelid family and are therefore cousins of llamas, guanacos and vicunas. Alpacas are bred for their superior fleece which is very soft, extremely fine and more durable than cashmere. It is called "alpaca fibre" and is processed into yarn for knitwear and woven fabrics for furnishings. There are 22 natural colours of alpaca.

Alpacas originate from the Altiplano area of the Andes in South America; from Peru, Chile and Bolivia. They are now bred worldwide and there are large numbers in USA and Canada, in Australia and New Zealand and in the UK and mainland Europe. In UK, for instance, there are 16000 alpacas (2007) and breeders contribute the biggest market share. But there is also a growing trade for alpacas as pets and for the fibre which goes to the fashion industry.

The price range of alpacas is quite wide with the best quality alpacas commanding considerable investment.

Alpacas that are kept as pets, usually castrated males, are much lower in price. There are two types of alpaca ; Huacaya which represent about 95% of all alpacas and the rarer Suri (5%) which has long silky fleece growing in long corkscrew locks. Alpaca babies are called cria.