By CATHERINE MILLER
ALPACA meat has gained a foothold in SA's upmarket dining scene, with more consumers keen to try the South American staple.
Chris Williams, Ambersun Alpacas, Mount Compass, one of Australia's largest breeders, said that since the first animals were brought to Australia in 1988, the industry was finally maturing.
He said it had reached a critical volume to develop sustainable fibre and meat markets, providing more certainty to commercial growers with an estimated 500,000 alpacas in Australia.
"We knew it wouldn't happen overnight, but we now have enough animals on which to seek out and supply new markets for our fibre and meat," Mr Williams said.
In September last year, he and his partner Adrienne Clarke joined forces with Sarah and Perry Wheeler, Prados Alpacas, Hindmarsh Valley, to launch their own branded Fleurieu Prime meat.
In just eight months, the team had already delivered 3000 kilograms of high-quality lean meat to Adelaide restaurants and, to a lesser extent, retailers.
"It is a beautiful, delicate flavour which lends itself to cooking with whatever seasoning or spices you want to add," Mr Williams said.
Their flagship restaurant - Pranzo at Exchange Place in Adelaide - now includes alpaca meat in 8-10 per cent to 10pc of the meals served each week.
A major challenge for the business is ensuring year-round supply of meat, and they have been careful not to grow more rapidly than their supply although they are receiving new enquiries weekly.
"We will continue to present opportunities for chefs and restaurateurs to give it a go so they can see it is readily accepted by consumers," Mr Williams said.
"We know alpaca will not be for everyone and that's fine because there is not enough alpaca for everyone but there will be those who like to try something different from what they can cook at home. To me that is part of the dining experience."
The two large Fleurieu Peninsula-based herds have filled the early orders but the business has reached a point of looking for other breeders to become part of the supply chain.
"We now have a commercial business plan to take to other breeders and guarantee that we can buy their progeny for meat and pay a good price for their fibre," Mr Williams said.
"We will be looking for herds of 100 or 200 head rather than those with 20 and 30."
* Full report in Stock Journal, May 15, 2014 issue.