AUSTRALIA'S alpaca industry is making its mark internationally, after the announcement of an alpaca live export trade with the Republic of Korea last week.
Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce said the export of live alpacas would support Korea's demand for fibre, with breeder animals helping to improve Korea's national herd.
"Industry estimates the initial potential of the Korean market to be in the vicinity of 1000 head of alpaca each year, but with good growth prospects," he said.
Alpaca hair is a soft, dense, short fibre that is predominantly used for knitwear, clothing, blankets and rugs.
Mr Joyce said Australian and Korean government veterinary authorities reaching agreement on health certification requirements for live alpaca had opened the door to trade.
"The newly agreed health conditions for alpacas to Korea is a very positive development for Australia's alpaca industry, which has about 100,000 in the national herd.
"Health certification requirements are the foundation for trade in animals and this agreement means we can continue to build on trade opportunities as we work to revitalise our primary industries."
Jeff and Jill Willis are two alpaca breeders who are excited by the prospects of the new trade agreement with Korea.
The couple operate Sunline Alpacas, at Palmwoods, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, and have been breeding huacaya alpacas since 2001.
"We've now got open, direct protocols with Korea and China, which is great," Mr Willis said.
"They have also opened a protocol with Turkey so there will be shipments going there as well.
"Australia is recognised worldwide as a good source of top-quality breeding stock."
The Willises competed in the Charles Ledger Alpaca Show at Moss Vale, NSW, over the weekend where they received first place, second place and two third place awards across several categories.
At the 2014 Royal Queensland Show they won four of the champion prizes and took out the top accolade of supreme champion.
Mr Willis said he had been in discussions about exporting alpacas overseas and that the future of the industry looked bright.
"The opportunities for smaller breeders are there now and there is a lot of confidence in the industry at the moment."
They currently supply alpacas to commercial operators as well as genetics to other breeders.
Mr Willis said they were also getting more and more inquiries from wool producers who were looking at alpacas as an alternative income stream.
Melody Labinsky
Journalist for Queensland Country Life at Toowoomba.
Journalist for Queensland Country Life at Toowoomba.
