3 - The Wool Economy in Southern Peru

Abstract

The wool economy in the southern highlands directly involves more individuals than the other Peruvian export economies, in both production and marketing; a number of different kinds of wool are raised. Although the bulk of the wool is exported, a number of local consumers use a certain portion of it. This chapter discusses several aspects of this rather complex economy: the uses to which wool is put and the organization of production and distribution. It describes more technical aspects of wool production such as the physical properties of wool and the physiology and behavior of the wool-bearing animals. The varied wool output is used for a number of different purposes. The institutional structure of the wool economy in southern Peru is quite complex. To a greater extent than in other export commodities, production is divided among a large number of units, often quite small, and the commercial network channeling the product from its producer to the final buyer is elaborate. There is also considerable regional variation in the organization of wool production and distribution.