Cashmere Market Price per KG: What Farmers Earn

Behind every luxurious cashmere shawl is a farmer — or rather, a family of herders who live in some of the world’s most remote and inhospitable regions. But how much do these communities actually earn? And how does the global market price per kilogram of raw cashmere affect their livelihood?

The Global Cashmere Supply Chain

Most of the world’s raw cashmere comes from Mongolia, China, Afghanistan, and India (Ladakh). Once collected, the fiber passes through multiple hands: traders, processors, spinners, weavers, and finally brands. At each stage, the value increases — but the herder’s share is often minimal.

Average Market Prices

Cashmere is traded by weight. Prices fluctuate annually based on demand, quality, and geopolitical factors. As of recent estimates:

• Unprocessed raw cashmere (greasy): $25–$60 per kg
• Clean dehaired cashmere: $80–$150+ per kg
• Premium Ladakhi or baby cashmere: Often exceeds $200 per kg

However, herders typically receive payment for the raw, unprocessed fiber — at the lower end of this spectrum.

Seasonality and Labor Intensity

Cashmere is collected once per year, during the molting season in spring. Unlike shearing wool, cashmere must be hand-combed to preserve fiber length and quality — a time-consuming task often carried out by family members, especially women.

One goat yields only 150–200 grams of usable cashmere annually. This means a single kilo may require fiber from 5–7 goats.

Why Herders Are Underpaid

• Lack of transparency: Middlemen often set prices without regulation
• Limited bargaining power: Especially in isolated areas
• No direct market access: Most herders cannot reach international buyers
• Inconsistent quality: Affects what buyers are willing to pay

Price Volatility and Climate Impact

Fluctuations in price can devastate herder communities. A harsh winter (dzud) may lead to mass goat mortality. Meanwhile, increased demand from global brands doesn't always translate into better pay — especially if middlemen absorb the margin.

Efforts to Improve Farmer Incomes

Several initiatives aim to increase earnings and stability for herders:

• Direct trade models that remove intermediaries
• Certifications like the Good Cashmere Standard
• Training programs for fiber quality and land management
• Cooperative models that enable collective bargaining

However, these initiatives are unevenly implemented and often inaccessible to smaller communities, especially in Kashmir or Ladakh.

The vonoz Perspective

At vonoz, we believe true luxury includes justice for those who make it possible. Our fibers come directly from small herder families in Ladakh and Kashmir, with pricing set through long-term partnerships — not open market bidding.

By working in small volumes and focusing on bespoke shawls, we ensure a higher price per kilo is passed on to the source — sustaining not just goats, but communities and traditions.

What You Can Do as a Buyer

• Support brands that offer transparency in sourcing
• Choose heirloom-quality over mass-market items
• Understand pricing: If it seems too cheap, someone likely lost out

Final Thought

When you wrap yourself in a fine cashmere shawl, you’re not just embracing softness — you’re touching the labor of families, climates, and animals far from the boutique. Ethical cashmere isn’t just about what you wear. It’s about who it supports.

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Discover more about fiber ethics in our articles on Fair Trade Cashmere and Slow Fashion Values.