Alpaca dolls set for Shanghai show help bring good life to Peru

SHANGHAI－In the Peruvian Andes about 2,000 meters above sea level, artisan Oswaldo Mamani and his family are busy making alpaca dolls, as these handmade products will be displayed at the third China International Import Expo in November.

Peru is home to alpacas, a domesticated camelid mammal living in the high-altitude Andes with soft and lightweight wool widely used to produce alpaca clothing such as jumpers and scarves as well as alpaca dolls. The alpaca industry is vital to Peru, as many Peruvian families earn their livelihood by raising alpacas or selling alpaca souvenirs.

Mamani's family owned a small workshop and used to sell their alpaca products only in Peru, offering limited varieties and earning low profits.

"We never imagined one day our products would be sold far away in China," says Mamani.

Ma Yuxia and her Peruvian business partner Alejandra Bedregal introduced Mamani's alpaca dolls to Chinese consumers who have shown a great interest in high-quality imported goods.