Global Alpaca Fiber Market Definition
Alpaca fiber is one of the finest fibers in the world, they have naturally produced fiber, extracted from the body of alpacas. Alpacas have a single coat, therefore unlike cashmere, llama, camel, qiviut, and yak, its fiber typically does not need to be detailed. Depending on the fiber grade, an alpaca's individual fiber diameter ranges from 15 to 36 microns. This particular factor also makes it better than most of the other animal protein fibers. Alpacas are known to be highly sustainable fibers, as these fibers are found in 16 different colors that are mostly earth tones, and they are easily blendable. Therefore, there is a variety of colors and it does not put much stress on energy and water resources for dyeing them.
Alpaca fiber makes wonder wool, those are not only appealing to the eye but also serves some serious purposes. They are flame resistant, and they qualify as the most efficient level of flame resistance in furnishing and clothing. These fibers are warmer in comparison to cotton in humid conditions and they feel lighter than even wool. It has the special ability to work like cotton when it comes to soaking away sweat. Moreover, they are retardancy to water to some extent that pills may be quickly cleaned up before water soaks into the fiber and causes stains. Alpaca fleece is incredibly adaptable and a perfect material for everything from high-end goods to newborn-baby apparel because it is also naturally hypoallergenic. It has now been a part of the textile industry for thousands of years.
Global Alpaca Fiber Market: Key Insights
Base Year |
2022 |
Forecast Year |
2023-2035 |
CAGR |
~4% |
Base Year Market Size (2022) |
~ USD 3 Billion |
Forecast Year Market Size (2035) |
~ USD 5 Billion |
Regional Scope |
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Global Alpaca Fiber Market Size, Forecast, and Trend Highlights Over 2023 - 2035
The global alpaca fiber market is estimated to garner a revenue of ~USD 5 Billion by the end of 2035 by growing at a CAGR of ~4% over the forecast period, i.e., 2023 – 2035. Further, the market generated a revenue of ~USD 3 Billion in the year 2022. The growth of the market can be attributed to the rising government effort to provide benefits to the alpaca breeders, which in turn is expected to boost the production of alpaca fibers. Alpaca farmers in Shanxi Province, in north China, have reaped significant rewards from the nation's efforts to combat poverty, which have received a total investment of over 200 billion yuan (about 28.5 billion USD) from China's provinces, cities, and counties. Moreover, these funds have reformed the lives of the largest alpaca breeding base in China which hosts around 100 Australian Alpacas.
In addition to these, factors that are believed to fuel the market growth of alpaca fiber include the escalating inclination of the people towards fancy designer clothes, and the significant utilization in the automotive industry. Alpaca wool is utilized in applications that require heat retention and it is one of the major reasons for its utilization automotive industry. For instance, the automotive industry in 2017 was valued at approximately USD 75 million. As of 2018, about 65 million cars were manufactured across the globe. Alpaca fibers are utilized to make interior equipment such as, seat and seat cover, flooring, and others in cars. Alpaca fiber is soft and doesn’t feel scratchy, therefore, people choose alpaca wool over sheep wool. Furthermore, rising breeding of Alpacas is also anticipated to foster the growth of the market during the forecast period. All these factors are projected to influence the growth of the market positively over the forecast period.
Global Alpaca Fiber Market: Growth Drivers and Challenges
Growth Drivers
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Growing Number of Alpaca Breeding – Rising number of alpacas directly boosts the production of fur. There are around 4 million alpacas all over the world. Out of these around 9% live in Bolivia, and nearly 30% are in New Zealand, the US, Canada, and Australia. Moreover, the largest share approximately 87% is held by Peru.
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Rising Government Efforts for Expanding the Supply of Alpaca Fibers– In 2020 the government of Peru has taken initiatives for focusing on alpaca fibers by creating a textile and clothing industry group. With around 6 million kg of alpaca fiber produced in 2019, Peru is the largest producer of alpaca fibers and generated around USD 191 million.
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Growing Demand for Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Garments – Sustainability has become a crucial factor for people when making clothing choices and fashion purchases, in October 2020, around 65% of people prefer sustainable clothing and it further increased to approximately 69% in May 2021.
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Rising Manufacturing of Natural Fibers – Over the past few years, natural fiber growth has been steady. According to various statistics, they account for 30% to 40% of the global market for fibers.
Moreover, India, China, and the United States has the largest contribution around 60% in the manufacturing of n
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Rising Expenditure on Luxurious Clothing – Alpaca fiber-made stuff, including clothes, chairs, and bags are very expensive and are counted as high-end products. The total revenue generated by luxury goods in 2022 was around USD 70 billion and it is expected to grow by approximately 3% by 2027.
Challenges
- Rising Protest Against Animal Fur- Activities are concerned about the treatment animal receive on farms. They are constantly put under pressure for growing the fur business. They might suffer from anxiety, stress, and other psychological and physical problem that make their lives intolerable. The governments of Austria and the United Kingdom have outright outlawed fur growing in their respective nations. This factor is likely to hamper the market growth.
- High Cost of Alpaca Fiber
- Cheaper Wool is Available in the Market
Global Alpaca Fiber Market Segmentation
The global alpaca fiber market is segmented and analyzed for demand and supply by wool type into Huacaya and Suri. Out of the two types of wool, the Huacaya segment is estimated to gain the largest market share over the projected time frame. The fiber from huacaya features crimpy waves that grow in bundles and reflect the light brightly. The growth of the segment can be attributed to the higher share of the Huacaya alpaca population in comparison to Suris Out of the total population of alpacas in the world, around 90% are Huacaya alpacas. Moreover, the popularity of Huacaya alpaca’s wool is owing to its fineness and ability to strongly protect against cold. Suris’ fur struggle to provide enough effectivity at higher altitudes because, despite its beauty, its fur is insufficient to shield them from cold conditions.
The global alpaca fiber market is also segmented and analyzed for demand and supply by application into flooring, textiles, apparels, and industrial felting. Amongst these four segments, the textile segment is expected to garner a significant share. One of the most valuable natural fibers in the world, alpaca fleece is a favorite of both hand-knitters and high-end fashion designers. They are used for creating some dine luxury clothing. The incredibly delicate, light, and strong material. The segment growth is attributed to the growing demand for high-end luxe clothes. In 2023, the luxury fashion industry is expected to generate around USD 112 billion in revenue. Furthermore, higher demand for sustainable clothing is expected to segment growth. One of the most environmentally friendly animals on the planet, alpacas have no adverse effect on the environment. The 22 natural hues that alpacas create substantially reduce the need for dyes. This conserves a substantial quantity of water and electricity.
Our in-depth analysis of the global alpaca fiber market includes the following segments:
By Wool Type |
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By Grading |
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By Application |
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Global Alpaca Fiber Market Regional Synopsis
The North American alpaca fiber market, amongst the market in all the other regions, is projected to hold the largest market share by the end of 2035. The growth of the market can be attributed majorly to the significant availability of Alpacas in the region and higher demand for woolen clothing owing to the long-lasting winter. For instance, the presence of about 50,000 alpacas is observed solely in the United States. Additionally, Americans are more inclined toward fashionable pieces of woolen clothing. Since alpaca wool feels soft against the skin, people tend to choose alpaca wool over other types. Based on the data provided by Ag Marketing Resource Center (AGMRC) it was stated that 17 million pounds of greasy shorn wool were produced in the United States in 2020.
Top Featured Companies Dominating the Global Alpaca Fiber Market
- The Alpaca Yarn Company
- Company Overview
- Business Strategy
- Key Product Offerings
- Financial Performance
- Key Performance Indicators
- Risk Analysis
- Recent Development
- Regional Presence
- SWOT Analysis
- Altifibers S.A.
- The Natural Fibre Company
- Zeilinger Wool Co.
- Stichting Agriterra
- Berroco, Inc.
- Mary Maxim Inc.
- Alpaca Owners Association, Inc.
- Plymouth Yarn Company, Inc.
- P & J Okell Ltd