Determining the value chain viability of Alpaca in New Zealand

Abstract

A dissertation on the exploration of the value of the animals, fibre, skin and meat as also the value as a tourist attraction of the New Zealand alpaca; can it claim to be progressing from an emerging to a viable industry? The dissertation examines research from both the USA and Peru in particular. The growers are questioned over the value chain possibilities that are open for them to develop. Problems and hurdles to growth appear to be an ageing population of larger growers, overvalued stock that is reenforced by established growers. Progress seems to have been made in placing market value on the fibre and an ongoing supply of well bred animals. But a real and competitive value chain for the meat needs to be established so broad acre farmers can be encouraged into the industry so the intent is to become a mainstream industry and not just as an investment for people wanting to live on small blocks in the country with alpacas a symbol of conspicuous consumption. The research method basis is telephone interviews with 30 people which covered the demographic of the alpaca group of people involved in this alpaca keeping activity. Those people were interviewed informally but also against a detailed questionaire of the aspects keeping alpacas and putting a value on the animal and its product. There were limitations on the research in that these were people who were active in fibre sales, kept animals and sold animals. No questioning was done to those who had exited the industry nor was questioning done with new entrants in particular. However negative and positive comments and points of view were expressed so some representation was achieved by the strata that was established.