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SPRING
2012
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Vallely says there is no threat to the wool
industry from the niche alpaca fibre, with
the total alpaca clip only equivalent to the
volumes produced by five large wool grow-
ers. Premium Alpaca aims to increase the
number of alpaca growers involved or, at
least, ensure they “take up the messages” on
improved clip preparation and presentation.
“Alpaca has always been stated as a fibre
of the gods but it has not been effectively
positioned,” Vallely said. “Alpacas produce
a magic fibre but it is a shame it has also
been used in socks and scarves when the
potential is there for much more.”
He says there is big potential for a
burgeoning market for alpaca in house-
hold goods in Australia, China and New
Zealand, and for high-end garments—but
more buyer awareness is needed. “For the
viability of the alpaca industry, we need to
concentrate on producing a high price
a kilogram, not just kilograms of fibre,”
he said. “We have sold some into New
Zealand but there is huge potential in
China’s urban middle class.”
Australian Alpaca Association SA region
president Sarah Wheeler, Prados Alpacas,
Meadows, says she is pleased with the
sale price for fleeces collected from about
30 SA growers. She hopes market exposure
will spur interest from other buyers and
fellow alpaca breeders.
“Before the auction we had no idea
if it would even sell,” Wheeler said.
“Our hope is to get more people involved
now they can see they can make money
from the fleeces and there are buyers
out there.“At the end of the day there
are only so many pets and wethers, so
we have to make it a priority to make
a fleece industry,” she said.
Premium Alpaca hopes to more effectively position
alpaca fiber in the textile markets.
Photocourtesyof
StockJournal