Why is Cashmere So Expensive?

The simple answer to this question might be the economic law – supply and demand. Cashmere is a marvelous fiber for sweaters and other apparel, primarily because it is soft and warm. The supply-and-demand issue comes into play because true cashmere fiber comes from the hair of a particular type of goat – the Cashmere goat!!

This animal is apparently native to the region of Kashmir in Asia. When men from Great Britain entered this region about 200 years ago the fiber was “discovered” by those in Europe and the United States. But even when it was more readily available, cashmere remained expensive. It takes a lot of labor to get the hairs from the goat and carefully turn them into fiber suitable for wearing apparel.

Most of the real cashmere used today comes from China or the region to the north – Mongolia. Today, this breed of goat is raised specifically for its hair. But the number of goats is held in check by weather and production limitations. Much of the work is done by hand. This process can only begin when the goat’s hair is ready to be “harvested.” The hair is combed from the goat by hand. Fibers must be handled carefully and processed carefully to produce the best wearing apparel.