Peruvian artisan Oswaldo Mamani never anticipated that a chance encounter with Chinese tourist Ma Yuxia ten years ago would open the door for his small hand-sewn alpaca dolls to reach the China International Import Expo (CIIE) across the ocean. Making an appearance at the CIIE, an international grand stage, became the "code" that changed his family's destiny.

Building a new house, adding furniture, buying an off-road vehicle... The orders brought by the CIIE significantly improved Mamani's family's quality of life. Their impressive two-story house even became a landmark in the village. Mamani is not the only one benefiting from this; orders stemming from the CIIE have helped over 200 Peruvian families get rid of poverty and prosper.

Warmpaca team's group photo at the CIIE. Source: Warmpaca

FROM FIFTY TO TWENTY THOUSAND ITEMS

In the Andean region of Peru, alpaca wool products are a significant source of income for the locals, and the Mamani family is no exception. Ma still remembered the first encounter with Mamani when he and his wife were selling alpaca wool handicrafts on the street.

"At that time, their stall was made up of just a few tables, very simple, but the alpaca dolls were more beautifully crafted than others." Approaching Mamani's stall, Ma had already bought over ten items, but couldn't resist placing another order.

Upon returning to China, Ma gifted several alpaca dolls to her clients, who were so captivated that they immediately placed an order for 1,000 items. Upon receiving the orders, Ma promptly directed her Peruvian friends to Mamani's stall following the route she had outlined, initiating a collaboration. However, over the following two years, the growth of orders stagnated until the encounter with the CIIE in 2018.

The Warmpaca booth at the CIIE. Source: Warmpaca

In order to participate in the inaugural CIIE, Ma and her Peruvian partners jointly established the brand "Warmpaca". When the alpaca dolls made their debut on a 9-square-meter booth, they attracted countless eyes, leading to a flurry of customers and orders. "The level of affection from everyone far exceeded our expectations," Ma said.

"We used to sell at most 50 or 100 items, but now production simply can't keep up," Mamani said, "we have to deliver goods five times a year, basically every two months, with each batch ranging from 2,500 to 3,000 items. In total, we produce over 20,000 items a year." Presently, Warmpaca has opened four physical stores in Shanghai and one in Xiamen, with customers spanning across provinces and cities such as Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Harbin, Sanya, and Urumqi.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT ORDERS

In addition to exposing Peruvian handicrafts to the vast Chinese market, the CIIE has also triggered a "quality revolution". Ma confessed that the initial batch of alpaca plush toys varied in quality, and the production process was rather primitive. "There was a very painful process of adjustment." 

Initially, Ma's stringent quality requirements were hard for her Peruvian partner, Ysabel Zea, to comprehend. They believed that with good sales, there was no need to excessively demand perfection. "Why fuss over a small eye or mouth? We are already much better than local Peruvian products," Zea once questioned.

The turning point came in 2019. Zea visited the CIIE and realized that on this international stage, whether it was Fortune 500 companies or startups, opportunities were equal for all. Ultimately, success depended on quality.

"To some extent, it is more favorable for companies like ours," Zea reflected. "As long as the product is loved by consumers, it will attract attention. Of course, quality must continuously improve, surpassing Peruvian standards and aligning with global benchmarks to seize greater opportunities."

Subsequently, Warmpaca underwent an "industrial revolution". From raw material selection and production processes to final processing, the Chinese team introduced advanced equipment and strict quality control management. Peruvian artisans shifted from initial resistance to proactive learning. Additionally, the Peruvian partners visit China annually for learning experiences, and their work philosophy has quietly transformed: punctual delivery, process optimization, and a pursuit of perfection without flaws.

Furthermore, the Warmpaca team has also followed the CIIE to a broader international stage. On June 25, 2025, as a representative of Warmpaca, Zea was invited to attend the "Supporting 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda - CIIE in Action" Global Development Initiative Seminar held at the United Nations. Zea shared the touching journey of Warmpaca's encounter with the Chinese market with representatives from international organizations and permanent representatives in Geneva, discussing how to lead global development initiatives and use the CIIE as a platform to inject more vitality into global development.

Zea said, "Our story exemplifies that with international cooperation, common development can be achieved. We are here today to tell the world and people this story, to show that it is possible. If we can coexist peacefully, cooperate hand in hand, and collectively strive as a whole, we can possess formidable strength and achieve greater development."

Zea delivering her speech at the seminar and accepting interview afterwards. Source: ChinaDaily

ACHIEVING MORE "ALPACA MIRACLES"

In 2023, the Mamani family arrived in China, where the alpaca plush toys they crafted at the CIIE attracted numerous customers who stopped to take photos, inquired about purchasing, and discussed potential collaborations. This experience gave Mamani a tangible sense of the previous description that "your work is very popular in China."

The Mamani (second from right) family visits China, posing for a photo with Jinbao. Source: Warmpaca

Mamani still finds it unbelievable to this day that they participated in the CIIE in China. Apart from exhibiting, they also visited the Bund and Yu Garden. Mamani said, "for a craftsman living in the countryside, doing such inconspicuous work making alpaca plush toys, coming to China feels like a dream because this is the other end of the world, isn't it?"

Every time Ma visits, the warm reception from Mamani's family fills her with comfort and a sense of achievement. Today, Warmpaca's booth at the CIIE has expanded from its initial nine square meters to 54 square meters. Ma is developing more new Peruvian handicrafts, hoping to replicate the success of alpaca plush toys for more Peruvian artisans, achieving more "Alpaca Miracles."

Disclaimer

The information in this article is compiled from materials provided by relevant parties participating in the CIIE and media reports,  with the CIIE Bureau objectively compiling relevant content. The CIIE Bureau does not take responsibility for disputes or losses arising from the following circumstances: deviations in expression due to outdated information updates; readers' subjective judgments or actions based on this article; unauthorized alteration or dissemination of the content by third parties.