The mohair chain, stage by stage:
| Stage | Where it mostly happens | Who captures the value |
|---|---|---|
| Farming and shearing | Karoo, Eastern Cape; Lesotho | South African and Basotho farmers |
| Broking and auction | Gqeberha | Two South African brokers |
| Washing and combing into tops | Gqeberha | Two South African processors |
| Spinning and weaving | China, Italy, UK, Japan | Foreign mills |
| Design, branding, retail | Europe, Asia, US | International fashion houses |
The first three stages are proudly South African. The last two — where the biggest margins sit — mostly are not.
The opportunity for local entrepreneurs is the middle: small-batch spinning, hand-knitting, finished goods and brands that sell South African mohair as South African.
Read the full story: The Golden Fleece Leaves Home.