Fibre is the coat grown by llamas and alpacas, and which is shorn just like sheep.

We think that from the perspective of the industry as a whole, the foundation of this industry is fibre and the garments made from the fibre. We call this FIBRE FIRST. Although these animals have other uses, such as showing, pets, guard llamas, meat, and recreational and commercial llama hiking and packing, all of which are important uses, there is little doubt that fibre and garments are the most important.

Llamas and alpacas produce one of the worlds finest and luxurious natural fibres. These fibres have a number of extremely desirable attributes.

1. Llama and alpaca fibre is silky, soft, supple and smooth to the touch. It is prized for it's unique silky feel and luxurious handle.
2. Llama and alpaca fibre is unusually strong and resilient. The strength does not diminish as it becomes finer.
3. Llama and alpaca fibre is easily dyed any color and always retains its natural luster.
4. Llama and alpaca fibre contains microscopic air pockets which creates lightweight clothing with good insulating values.
5. Llama and alpaca fibre is found in 22 distinct natural colors which can be blended into an infinite array of natural shades.
6. Llama and alpaca fibre is as soft as cashmere and warmer and stronger than lambs wool.
7. Most people can comfortably wear garments made from high quality fibre next to their skin.

With a combined total of over 6 million llamas and alpacas in South America, it is not surprising that the South Americans, through a handful of fibre companies, control the llama and alpaca textile market. It is a big industry. In 1998, South America exported over 13 million kilograms of fibre and fibre product.

Since the 1980's, there have been enough exports of llamas and alpacas from South America for herds to develop in several countries, and among the leaders are Canada and the United States.

Canada has over 3000 alpacas and there are over 130,000 registered llamas in North America. With these expanding herds, public awareness and usage of llama and alpaca fibre is growing. Notwithstanding that growth, however, as measured by imports from South America, Canadian awareness and usage of the fibre, per capita, is one quarter that of the United States.

In North America there is a growing interest in this fibre from brand names in apparel, such as Donna Karan, Joseph Abboud, and Barry Bricken. In Europe, which is the traditional and most creative market for alpaca fibre, consumption is linked to fashion trends. The lead consumers are the Italians, Germans and French. During the 1990's, the Far East became a profitable market for this fibre, with Japan leading the way, mainly for women's apparel in fine knits of natural colors. Korea is not far behind, and there is growing interest in Hong Kong and China. There is even interest in the Arab countries where alpaca yarns are used to manufacture a cape like product used for protection against desert wind and chill.