The People Behind The Fiber
When we think about alpaca, we usually think about the finished product; a warm sweater, a pair of gloves, a soft scarf. But there are a lot of people behind that finished piece.
Across the highlands of Peru, families have been raising alpacas for hundreds of years. Peru is home to about 4.6 million alpacas, more than 80% of the world's alpaca population. For roughly 90,000 families in the highlands, raising alpacas is an important part of their livelihood. For these families, alpaca is more than just material. It is part of their everyday lives and something that has been passed down through the generations.
A GROWING INDUSTRY — WITH REAL CHALLENGES
The Alpaca industry in Peru has grown strongly over the years, with improvements in processing, fiber quality, and access to markets around the world. Peruvian Alpaca exports globally grew past the $238 million mark in 2025.
But even with that positive growth, there are still challenges for the families who raise Alpacas.
Many farmers live in remote areas where getting their Alpaca fleece to larger markets isnt easy due to weather conditions. But there have been encouraging examples of communities working together, forming cooperatives, to sell the fiber more directly, and receiving better prices for the fiber.
KEEPING TRADITIONS GOING
Supporting alpaca farmers is about more than the industry itself. It is also about keeping traditions going.
For generations, people in the Andes have raised alpacas and created textiles with these prized fibers using skills passed down within families and communities.
Where there is demand for alpaca textiles, there is reason for these skills to continue. It gives younger generations the chance to learn from their parents and grandparents and carry those valued traditions forward. For us, that is one of the things that makes alpaca so special.
PART OF OUR JOURNEY
The people behind alpaca have always been an important part of the Peruvian Link story.
Over the years, we have built lasting relationships with farmers, artisans, knitters, and skilled production teams throughout Peru. Their knowledge and experience are a big part of what goes into the products we bring to our customers.
Many of the handmade pieces we carry are made by women we’ve known for decades, working within their communities while maintaining precious skills passed down to them - and more importantly - producing knit products to support their families.
When we look at a finished piece, we see more than just the product. We see the generations of knowledge that went into making it. 
GIVING BACK IN PERU
Our relationship with Peru goes beyond alpaca and textiles. Over the years, we have always looked for ways to give back directly to communities in Peru.
At Christmas time, every year, we have organized celebrations and provided gifts for children and elderly residents in communities where the holiday can look very different. We also sponsor a Christmas meal for more than 200 people, including children and adults.
These may seem like small things, but they are meaningful to us.
For us, supporting Peru isn't only about business, it is also doing our bit for the people and communities that have been part of our story for so many years.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND WHAT WE MAKE
When you look at an alpaca sweater, hat, or pair of gloves, it can be easy to see only the finished product. But behind it are farmers, families, artisans, knitters, and communities.
Those people are integral to the Peruvian Link story—and a big part of why we care deeply about where our products come from and those who help bring them to life.
