Cashmere is one of the world's finest and most expensive wools. It is a type of goat hair which grows on the body of a Cashmere-producing goat. These goats are found scattered in many parts of the world, and hence Cashmere is produced by a large number of regions in the world. All of these regions produce Cashmere of different grades, depending upon the conditions that the goat has survived. And since the goat is rare, unique and a luxury wool-producing one, let us know more about it.

Cashmere goats

A Cashmere goat produces Cashmere. Cashmere is one of the finest and warmest animal hair types in the world. It grows as an undercoat on the underbelly of the goats. While many regions of the world produce Cashmere, a common factor among these is the low temperature that these goats endure. It is because the goats have to survive in harsh winters that nature bestows them with this coat of protection. Cashmere is immensely warm and hence protects the animal from biting colds at altitudes. For this reason, Cashmere is one of the most cherished animal hair types in the world. It is exceptionally warm, soft and lightweight.

Cashmere producers around the world

Among the world's producers of Cashmere, are China and Mongolia rule. These two nations produce more than 90% of the world's total Cashmere. Other than these, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, India and nations around Central Asia produce meagre quantities of Cashmere. Let's have a look at some Cashmere-producing breeds around the world.

Ladakhi Pashmina Goat

Considered the best quality Cashmere, it is the Cashmere producing goat of Kashmir that is found in Ladakh Changthang. The goat endures a temperature of less than -40 degrees C and grows a fine fleece as an undercoat. This fine fleece is Cashmere and is the finest produced in the world (12 to 16 microns diameter). The goats are naturally black, grey, brown and white, but wool acquired from them can be dyed in any colour and shade.

The Ladakhi Cashmere goat is very rare. Its wool constitutes less than 0.1% of global cashmere production.

Also read: WHICH COUNTRY HAS THE BEST CASHMERE?

Mongolian Goat

As a result, of the bitterly cold winters unique to Mongolia, the Mongolian Cashmere goat develops a fine fleece. This is the Mongolian Cashmere. It is believed to be the second-best Cashmere type in the world. Mongolian goats grow a lot of long, soft and fine hair with diameters ranging from 14 to 16 in diameter.

Australian Cashmere Goat

This breed of Cashmere producing goats originates from Australia. It produces long and dense Cashmere wool, which is used to make sweaters, wraps, scarves and a few upholstery products.

Chinese Cashmere goat

Cashmere goats from China are the world's largest contributors of Cashmere in the world. This makes China the world's largest producer of Cashmere, contributing over 80% of the total Cashmere produced. The raw material sources and processing capability of China win over all the other producers in the world.

Mongolian Cashmere

When it comes to fineness, it is Mongolian Cashmere that wins over others except for Ladakhi Cashmere. Mongolian Cashmere goats produce downy fleece in winter, which is collected by their herders to process. These fibres are especially long and fine, and hence make very high-quality yarn, thread and hence end products.

Special Properties of Mongolian Cashmere

• Mongolia is a huge producer of Cashmere in the world. It contributes over 3000 tons of Cashmere per year
• In Mongolia, after mining, Cashmere production is the second most important industry
• It is only after enduring the harsh, dry and cold climate of Mongolian mountain ranges that the goats grow a soft fleece that protects them from the biting colds.
• It is believed that there are more goats in Mongolia than there are people. The place is rich in livestock with over 39 million being goats.
• Hand combing is the way that herders in Mongolia use to acquire wool from the Cashmere goats.

Also read: WHAT IS A PASHMINA AND SILK?