Often times, you meet people that like to discuss fashion. They talk about expensive clothing brands. What could be more fashionable than your mohair coat?

Well, mohair is a fibre produced only by Angora goats. And if that is so, why not learn more about mohair beyond your branded coat?

According to Agribook.co.za:

• Mohair is classed as a luxury fibre and is often used to make high end clothing and furnishings. It is especially suitable for apparel, knitwear, curtaining, upholstery material, socks, shawls and accessories.
• Eastern Cape farmers produce nearly all of South Africa’s mohair.
• Since South Africa’s contribution to world mohair production stands at 54% (ABSA, 2018), Port Elizabeth may rightly be called the mohair capital of the world.
• Mohair is utilised globally: it is a natural, environmentally-friendly fibre which enjoys an advantage over synthetic fibres.
• Other mohair producing countries of the world include Lesotho (second highest producer), Argentina, Turkey, Australia and the United State of America.
• South African mohair is predominately exported to China and Italy. Other countries include the UK, Taiwan and Japan.
• The mohair market has traditionally been heavily influenced by fashion demand, or the lack thereof. This is one of the reasons for the volatility in demand experienced from time to time.

So the next time you engage people on fashion, tell them: Fashion is an Angora goat!

– Mokgokong Mokgethi