The fluffy and vibrant alpaca plush toys showcased at the sixth China International Import Expo captured the attention of many visitors.

These adorable handicrafts were crafted from alpaca wool by Peruvian artisans, including Oswaldo Mamani and his family.

At 50 years old, Mamani has been creating and selling alpaca wool decorations since he was a teenager. In 2016, Chinese customer Ma Yuxia visited Mamani's small shop in Peru and purchased two alpaca plush toys, setting the stage for their eventual appearance at the CIIE.

At the inaugural CIIE in 2018, Ma brought Mamani's alpaca plush toys to the expo. Despite being displayed in a modest nine-square-meter booth, this debut led to a surge in orders. Over 10 families from the Mamani clan are now engaged in the production of the toys, expanding their product range from alpacas to include pandas, penguins, rabbits, and dozens of other varieties.

Discussing their latest creation, the giant panda plush toy, Mamani explained, "We know that pandas are a symbol of China and are beloved in the country, so we got the idea to make panda plush toys from alpaca wool. We also noticed that the mascot at the CIIE was a giant panda."

From the first CIIE to the sixth, these Peruvian alpaca wool toys have been a part of every expo, showcasing their unique charm to the world.

Oswaldo Mamani showcases the giant panda plush toy made from alpaca wool. [Photo/Xinhua]

"Taking our products to participate in the CIIE was our dream," Mamani said, adding that as traditional Peruvian artisans, "We are very grateful to China and Chinese consumers for appreciating and recognizing our work."

Peru, as the home to the largest population of alpacas globally, is a leading producer of alpaca wool textiles. Many families in the Peruvian Andes region raise alpacas and craft alpaca wool products for a living.

A Peruvian artisan makes alpaca plush toys. [Photo/Xinhua]

"China has opened up markets for our products," said Mamani. In his view, the continuous expansion of the Chinese market has contributed to the growth of the local handicraft industry in Peru.

"The Chinese market has potential, strong consumer power, and rapid demand growth. We now deliver orders every two months, with each order ranging from 8,000 to 10,000 items," Mamani shared.

Thanks to Chinese market as well as their hard work, the Mamani family has reaped the tangible benefits of the "alpaca economy", expanding their single-floor workshop to three. "We love making handicrafts, and now we not only earn more money but also lead better lives," Mamani added.

Alejandra Bedregal, one of the Peruvian partners of the Mamani couple's collaboration with Chinese brands, said, "The CIIE, in particular, has broadened our horizons and given us a deeper understanding of the Chinese market, urging us to continue innovating and improving."

"I definitely want to go to China again to attend this year's CIIE," Bedregal expressed.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

By Zhao Guangmei