China | Alpaca | Alpaca Little

A thousand years ago, the Inca people drove a convoy of alpacas to establish a unique Inca civilization between the Andes. Nowadays, the "divine beast" alpaca is not only a cute and occasionally spitting pet for the public, but also a "wealth creation classic" for countries where alpaca hair is produced.

Alpaca wool fiber is soft, tough, and warm. In just a few years, it has transformed from a niche fiber raw material to a well-known high-quality fiber material, highly sought after by the consumer market, and is truly the "walking gold".

The story of "Little Camel" stepping out of the "mountains", crossing the "Pacific", and entering the global market should start from the CIIE.

The Pacific alpaca will participate in the 6th China International Import Expo with its artistic work "Panda and Its Friends", which symbolizes friendship and friendship

A ticket to the Chinese market

"At the most difficult time in the overall environment, we chose to enter the Chinese market," said Hu Tao, the person in charge of Pacific Alpacas, recalling the opportunity to connect with the CIIE. "If you ask me which platform can help us quickly open up the Chinese market, my answer must be the CIIE!"

In 2021, due to the impact of the global pandemic, the number of tourists visiting New Zealand has significantly decreased. The local sales of Pacific Alpacas, a well-known alpaca fiber enterprise in New Zealand, have been hindered, and warehouses are stocked with a large amount of alpaca fiber sent by alpaca farmers. Hu Tao's team urgently needs to explore new markets to survive the cold winter.

"China is the preferred market." China's large population base and rapidly expanding middle-income group bring hope for Pacific Alpacas to overcome its development difficulties.

Although the prospects are limitless, on the one hand, the use of textile raw materials such as cotton, linen, and silk has a long history and has occupied a mainstream position in the domestic market. On the other hand, facing Chinese consumers who particularly pursue quality, even the so-called "soft gold" of alpaca hair, it is not easy to "break through the encirclement" and establish a new understanding among Chinese consumer groups.

"It must be the China International Import Expo, but only the China International Import Expo." According to Hu Tao, after several months of preparation, the 9 square meter booth exerted tremendous energy. In just three days, more than 100 classic cloud patterned winter blankets made of alpaca wool were sold out, and suppliers, distributors, and retailers rushed in.

In 2021, the Pacific Alpaca had a booth of only 9 square meters at the CIIE

"The effect was unexpected!" The good results of the first exhibition strengthened Pacific Alpacas' confidence in continuously expanding the Chinese market. In June 2022, Pacific Alpacas obtained approval from the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industry to transport 3.3 tons of high-quality alpaca fiber to China, using China's advanced fiber fine combing technology to empower alpaca fiber raw materials. This is the largest export of alpaca fiber raw materials in New Zealand's history and also a model of cooperation between China and New Zealand in the field of alpaca fiber primary product technology. In November of the same year, Pacific Alpacas continued to participate in exhibitions and signed strategic cooperation agreements with China Southern Airlines Cross border E-commerce, Sanya Cross border E-commerce Industrial Park, and others.

In Hu Tao's view, the CIIE has become an important stage for global consumer goods to find channels, make friends, and establish brands. At this point, Pacific Alpacas has completely opened up the Chinese market from scratch.

A key to unlocking "two-way travel"

With the help of the CIIE, "Little Camel" has entered the Chinese market and benefited far more than one enterprise. In the village of Sachaca in Peru, South America, Oswaldo Mamani's family is preparing alpaca dolls for the CIIE. According to Warmpaca founder Ysabel Zea, every two months, a batch of "warm camels" depart from Arequipa, travel through Lima to Shanghai, and then distribute to more than 20 offline sales channels in China.

Colorful alpaca dolls are loved by the public at the CIIE

BBFAT is a handmade alpaca wool brand with high-quality certification of origin in Peru. "Goat and camel hair products are niche products, and through the CIIE, we can find loyal fans in the Chinese market." Xu Ling, the head of BBFAT brand operations, introduced that the brand had just entered China in 2021, with only 30 exhibits participating in the CIIE. By 2022, it had grown to 120 exhibits and signed contracts with 23 partners on site.

"The strong promotion ability of the CIIE has enabled us to grow faster." Xu Ling revealed that the monthly sales of the brand's offline stores can reach 400000 yuan and are steadily increasing.

BBFAT's offline counter

After becoming famous at the CIIE, the local Peruvian community also received rewards. The alpaca industry is one of the pillar industries in Peru, a South American country, and an important source of income for people in the Andean mountain areas. According to Xu Ling, BBFAT's factory in Peru has a fixed workforce of 300 people and can reach 500 people during busy seasons. The orders from the Chinese market are constantly pouring into Peru, and more and more handicrafts have achieved poverty alleviation and wealth creation through the CIIE.

BBFAT is a microcosm of China's two-way cooperation and win-win cooperation. "The CIIE is an ideal platform for understanding Chinese business culture and consumption trends," said Diana Pita, Business Counselor at the Consulate General of Peru in Shanghai.

Nowadays, more and more alpaca companies are exploring the Chinese market through the CIIE. BBFAT grasps market demand at the CIIE and innovatively designs new categories of alpaca dolls such as long haired rabbits and giant pandas that meet Chinese aesthetics; Warmpaca organizes specialized production and standardizes the design of the ears and facial details of alpaca dolls, greatly improving the quality of handmade products; Pacific Alpacas has launched new products such as alpaca coats to cater to the diverse needs of consumer groups.

With the help of the CIIE, the alpaca industry is no longer a niche industry in the Andes. More categories and higher quality alpaca wool products are being recognized by the global market.

The "Big Future" of "Little Camel"

As the spillover effects of the CIIE continue to amplify, the "little alpaca" has transformed from a "small transparency" in the past to a "big internet celebrity" today, exerting even more vigorous vitality.

In April of this year, Pacific Alpacas and Inner Mongolia Alpaca Breeding Ranch jointly established the Alpaca Theme Park - Natural Roll Pasture - which officially opened in Jianshe Town, Chongming Island. It covers an area of 188 acres and is currently the largest Alpaca Park in East China. The ranch adheres to the concept of "zero carbon cycle" and adopts the idea of deep integration of technology, culture, tourism, and agriculture and animal husbandry to fill the market gap of Shanghai's characteristic agriculture, animal husbandry, leisure, culture, and tourism. You can purchase Pacific Alpacas wool blankets and other products at the alpaca fiber store in the amusement park.

The Alpaca Amusement Park in Chongming District, Shanghai

This year Pacific Alpacas will participate in the exhibition for the third time. Hu Tao introduced, "Unlike previous years, we have applied for an independent special booth at the CIIE this year. We will collaborate with multiple artists from institutions such as the China New Zealand Calligraphy and Painting Academy and the Auckland Art Space to create alpaca art works that symbolize friendship and friendship."

"We are launching new products every month. This year, we will bring over 200 exhibits to participate in the exhibition." Xu Ling explained that since participating in the CIIE, BBFAT's offline channels have developed rapidly, with 5 counters and more than 100 distributors nationwide.

It can be said that the rapid development of alpaca enterprises in China from small to large is a vivid reflection of the market opportunities shared by China and other countries. From a century old and timeless store to a start-up company that is fighting against the tide; From the world's top 500 companies with strong capabilities to small and medium-sized enterprises in the least developed countries, the CIIE allows global exhibitors to share development opportunities, which may be the reason why countless "they" firmly choose to participate in the expo.