Alpaca fiber is a natural material known for its luxurious softness, lightweight warmth, and durability. Classified as an animal protein fiber, it is often compared to cashmere due to its fineness. Alpaca fiber is warmer, stronger, and naturally lacks lanolin, making it hypoallergenic. The fiber is a renewable resource harvested from a domesticated species of South American camelid. It is naturally available in a wide spectrum of colors, including shades of white, black, brown, and gray, which allows for minimal dyeing in textile production.
The Geographic Origin and Habitat
The vast majority of the world’s alpaca fiber originates from the high-altitude plateaus of the Andes Mountains in South America. The animals are native to this region and are primarily concentrated in Peru and Bolivia, which together hold nearly 99% of the global alpaca population. Significant populations are also found in Chile and Ecuador, where the camelids thrive in the harsh environment.
Alpacas are traditionally raised at extreme elevations, typically ranging from 3,500 to 5,000 meters (11,000 to 16,000 feet) above sea level. This habitat, known as the Altiplano, is characterized by a severe climate with daily temperature fluctuations. The fiber’s unique structure is hollow and acts as a thermal insulator, protecting the animal against these extreme weather changes. This natural adaptation gives the harvested fiber its warmth and light weight.
The Source Animal: Two Main Types
The fiber is sourced from the Vicugna pacos, commonly known as the alpaca, a species domesticated thousands of years ago in the Peruvian Andes. There are two distinct breeds of alpaca, each producing fiber with unique characteristics: the Huacaya and the Suri.
The Huacaya is the more common type, making up approximately 90% of the alpaca population. Its fiber grows in dense, woolly bundles and has a natural crimp or waviness that traps air. This loft contributes to insulation, making the fleece well-suited for knitted products like sweaters and socks.
The Suri alpaca is the rarer breed. Its fiber is straighter, longer, and hangs in pencil-like locks with a lustrous sheen. This smoother, silken texture and elegant drape are sought after for luxury woven textiles, such as fine suits and high-end shawls. Although the two fibers look different, both are known for their softness, with the fineness of the individual hair diameter ranging from 15 to 36 microns depending on the grade.
Harvesting and Shearing Practices
Fiber collection typically involves shearing the animals once a year, most commonly during the spring or early summer months. Annual shearing is necessary to prevent heat stress and maintain the quality of the fleece. An adult alpaca generally yields between 2.3 to 4.5 kilograms (5 to 10 pounds) of fiber during a single shearing.
The shorn fleece is carefully separated into different sections based on quality and fineness. The most valuable portion, called the “blanket” or “prime,” comes from the sides and back of the animal. Coarser or shorter fibers from the neck and legs are classified as “seconds.” Unlike sheep’s wool, alpaca fiber does not contain lanolin, which simplifies the initial cleaning and processing stages.