The market for alpacas has been moderated by the effects of relatively slow herd growth. As of early 2004, the total population of registered alpacas in North America accounts for about 50,000 in the United States and about 15,000 in Canada.

Supply will continue to be limited in the near future for a number of reasons:

* Alpacas reproduce slowly. A female generally breeds for the first time between 18-24 months of age, is pregnant for 11-12 months, and almost always only has one cria per year.

* Many breeders retain their offspring to build their herds

* The limited size of the national herds in each country outside of South America will restrain growth to a small degree.






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