Products
MOHAIR
 Mohair was known as far back as
biblical times. The curtains of the Hebrews` tabernacle were woven
from the snow white, silky fleece of the Angora Goat (Exodus XXVI, vs.
7).
The Turkish Angora goat has
existed for over 3000 years and is thought to have originated from the
succession of genetic mutations from the original Feral goat population in
Turkestan. The hair is mainly White in colour though very small
quantities of Black and Red/Brown hair are sometimes produced. The
breed is still reared in various areas of Anatolia where shearing normally
takes place in April/May and originally they were the major producer of
Mohair. However, production has declined in recent years and today
it is estimated that some 3/400,000 kilos a year is shorn. Turkey,
as the major producer for many years, prohibited the export of Angora
Goats but it is known that some goats were imported into South Africa with
the early settlers in 1839, similarly into the United States in 1849
and thus gradually they spread around the
world.
Breeding and selection became
more intensive in South Africa and the United States and as a result these
countries quickly improved the fibre quality. Today they are the
major producers of Mohair.
The South African Angora goat
first arrived in the Cape in early 1838. A shipment of twelve rams
and a single ewe were imported from Turkey for breeding purposes.
However, before departure their unscrupulous owners rendered the rams
infertile. Fortunately and unbeknown to the owners the single ewe
was pregnant and gave birth to a ram kid shortly after arrival in the
Cape.
 Today the
goats are largely reared in the Eastern Cape, with shearing taking
place twice yearly and the hair offered through auction in
Port Elizabeth. The Summer clip is sold February to June,
whilst the Winter clip July to December. South Africa
currently produces an approximate annual 4,500,000 kilos of shorn
fibre though this figure has declined steadily in recent years from
a high of around 11,000,000 kilos, but still makes South Africa the
largest producer of good quality Mohair.
In addition to the above,
Mohair is also produced in Lesotho, a landlocked country to the north of
South Africa, which was originally called Basuto Land and now lends its
name to the quality of Mohair known as 'Basuto'. These goats are
reared by many small farmers in a semi domesticated way, due to the lack
of an effective selective and breeding programme the bulk of the hair is
much more crossbred in quality. Once again the hair is sold via
auction in Port Elizabeth and production is estimated at approximately
500,000 kilos.
The United States Angora goat
is reared mainly in the driest areas of Texas centred on the Edwards
plateau. Again, shearing takes place twice a year. The hair, similar
in style to that of South Africa, is sold
either by private treaty or often in the
form of a sealed bid sale where buyers submit their offers to a central warehouse, which handles the
sale. Geographical positioning
means the seasons are reversed from those of South Africa, where the Winter hair is available February to
June, the Summer hair, which is referred
to as 'Fall' hair, being sold July to December. Production, here too has declined quite sharply in
recent years with today's estimates of
around 2,000,000 kilos annually.
 Mohair
of varying quality and quantity is today produced in many countries around
the world from Australia and New Zealand to China, Canada, Argentina, Peru
and various parts of Europe and Scandinavia. Angora goats are also
to be found in Mexico, Mongolia and the UK. The overall world production
is currently estimated around 10/10,500,000 kilos.
Mohair qualities cover a very
wide range, from the finest soft Kids (baby) at 24 microns to stronger
Adult at 38 microns. The versatility of the fibre enables it to be
used in many guises from Knitwear to Suitings, Coats, Scarves, Shawls as
well as articles such as Blankets, Curtains and Furniture coverings.
Its excellent absorption and shrink resistant properties make it highly
suitable for Socks and it is also used to produce high quality Carpets,
Rugs, Ties and Hand Knitting Yarns.
It is well known for its
brilliance and excellent dying properties which coupled with its other
unique characteristics attracts it to designers and the discerning buyer
everywhere throughout the world.
For further information please
contact:
International Mohair Association
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