Is the supply of alpacas restricted?
Supply will continue to be restricted in the near future for a number of reasons: • Alpacas reproduce slowly. • Many breeders retain their offspring, building their herds. • Import of the animal from South America is very restricted, as well as, difficult, risky and expensive. The importer risks losing his entire investment if the animals develop health problems in the quarantine or experience any number of other potential problems. • Mass production of “cria,” or babies, via embryo transplant is not feasible, since there is no available supply of suitable host females. • The limited size of the national herds in each country outside of South America will restrain growth for some time to come. • Some South American countries have developed export limitations to protect their national herds. • The U.S.
