2025/2026 Alpaca Owners Guide

 Fiber Characteristics Unlike sheep’s wool, alpaca fiber contains no lanolin and requires only minimal cleaning before spinning. Prized for its silky feel and soft handle, alpaca fiber is sought after by both cottage industry artisans—such as handspinners, knitters and weavers—and the commercial fashion industry. Alpaca fleece naturally occurs in 16 recognized earth-tone colors, including white, beige, shades of fawn, brown, black and gray, with countless subtle variations. Blending can create even more color options. Lighter shades, such as white, fawn and gray, can be dyed to produce hues ranging from delicate pastels to deep jewel tones. Alpaca fiber also blends well with other luxury fibers, such as merino wool, cashmere, mohair, silk and angora, to achieve unique textures and finishes.  The Growing Market for Alpaca Fiber Breeders today have more options than ever for processing and selling their fiber. Many work with mills in the United States and Canada that handle small- to medium-sized lots. Others join cooperatives or regional fiber pools that combine fleece to produce yarn, socks and other finished products for wholesale or retail sale. Some breeders also process and sell fiber directly through farm stores, e-commerce sites and local markets, emphasizing the value of locally made, sustainable textiles. North America still has a limited number of commercial-scale mills capable of processing alpaca fiber, with most facilities focused on smaller batches. The largest industrial operations remain overseas, primarily in Peru and Bolivia, where alpaca textiles are a major export industry. Collection and consistent grading of fiber remain challenges for large-scale processing in North America. With farms spread across vast distances, gathering and sorting fiber efficiently

66 | ALPACA OWNERS GUIDE 2025/2026