How much does the Changthangi goat cost, from whose wool Pashmina shawls are made?

The average price of a Changthangi goat in India ranges from Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000, but this is the general rate. Things like the age of the goat, quality of wool, health and fertility keep the price going up and down.

Sometimes due to better quality of wool the price becomes even higher. According to local shepherds, the price of male goats, depending on the wool, ranges from Rs 350 to Rs 375 per kg, while the price of female goats ranges from Rs 280 to Rs 320 per kg.

This difference is because the quantity and quality of wool in male goats is found to be better in many cases. The Changthangi goat is not just an animal, but a treasure that has thrived amidst the harsh life of the mountains and develops its true pashmina coat only in extreme cold.

That means the lower the temperature, the better the quality of the wool. This is the reason why this species is found only in some selected areas in the world, such as Ladakh, Changthang Plateau and Tibet. Due to the harsh climate, the care of these goats is also very challenging, which increases their price even more.

Market demand also influences the price significantly. Pashmina shawls are sold all over the world, and the demand for Changthangi wool is increasing year by year. In such a situation, their prices seem to be continuously increasing.

Sometimes, while the price of normal goats goes up to Rs 7,224 per quintal, Changthangi goat is sold at a much higher price due to its wool and racial importance.

Another major reason for their price is limited production. A Changthangi goat gives only 80-170 grams of pure pashmina coat in a year. Due to so little wool being available, it can take several months to a year to make a shawl. This is the reason why the price of a premium pashmina shawl in the market ranges from thousands to lakhs.