Within the framework of Alpaca Moda 2016 fashion-fair, business rounds might see deals worth close to US$20 million, Peru's Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Eduardo Ferreyros projected.
In 2015, said deals amounted to US$14 million. Thus, this year's event would witness a 42% increase.
Currently, the alpaca-fiber production chain provides jobs to nearly 120,000 workers based in eight Peruvian regions.
“It must be noted 90% of benefited workers are women [...],” the official said.
Alpaca Moda
Alpaca Moda 2016 aims to promote the said sector's further adhesion into international markets.
The event is taking place at Cerro Juli Convention Center (Arequipa) on October 24-28.
On the first day of business rounds, 62 exporting companies from Ayacucho, Cusco, Puno, Huancavelica, Junin, Lima and Arequipa regions showed their top products to potential buyers.
Among most numerous international business delegations at the event, the United States stands out with 13 fashion-industry companies, followed by Italy, France and Germany, among others.
Alpaca
Alpaca garment exports have on average expanded 4.0% during the 2011-2015 term.
As at 2015, such exports totaled US$47 million. Main targets were: United States, which accounted for 49% of alpaca-garment shipments, followed by Germany (10%), Japan (5%), France (5%) and the United Kingdom (5%).
Most dynamic markets for the 2014/2015 period were the U.S. (6.9% increase), Mexico (218.3%), Australia (23.8%), Chile (24.1%) and Switzerland (16.8%).
Alpaca exports totaled US$16 million in 2016's first half. During the said period, top markets were: Mexico (46.4%), Japan (13.1%) and Switzerland (124.6%).
(END) RGP/RGP/JHM/MVB