For more than a decade, the Eeltei Baylag Cooperative Network has been working with Mongolia’s nomadic livestock herders to develop a more sustainable cashmere industry, one that protects the country’s rich herding traditions while creating better opportunities and benefits for cooperative members.
Cashmere begins with the herders and their animals. Through sustainable livestock management, Mongolian herders are working to preserve their nomadic way of life while ensuring that cashmere production remains responsible and environmentally conscious.
The journey from pasture to premium cashmere involves several careful stages. Herders first hand-comb the animals, collecting the fine undercoat. The raw cashmere is then sorted according to category and quality. At the cooperative level, the fiber is carefully classified and its origin is traced before it moves to the industrial processing stage.
The cashmere then undergoes dehairing, separating the valuable fine fibers from coarser hairs. The resulting dehaired cashmere naturally comes in three main colors—white, brown, and grey—each reflecting the natural beauty of Mongolia’s livestock.
Through its commitment to certified sustainable cashmere, the Eeltei Baylag Cooperative Network connects Mongolian herders with international markets, including luxury brands seeking high-quality, responsibly produced fibers. The cooperative network is also diversifying its activities to create additional income opportunities and strengthen the distribution of benefits among its members. At the end of the year, cooperative members share in the returns generated from their collective efforts.
From the vast Mongolian steppes to the hands of consumers around the world, every strand of cashmere carries a story of herders, cooperatives, and a commitment to sustainability.
From the heart of Mongolian herders to your hands—for a soft future, for all.
Comments are closed