Lesotho’s Wool Industry: The Mountain Kingdom’s Essential Fibre

As the global wool industry prepares to gather in Maseru this November for the IWTO Wool Round Table 2025, it’s worth understanding why this small Southern African nation holds such significance in the world of wool.

At just 30,355 square kilometres (11,720 square miles), Lesotho is a giant in high-quality Merino wool production, and home to a wool industry that touches the lives of approximately 45,000 people, from farmers to processors. Lesotho is home to 1.37 million sheep producing 3.6 million kilograms of raw wool annually. And Lesotho stands as the world’s second-largest producer of mohair, following only South Africa.

Altitude Matters

Wool production spans most of the country, with the districts of Maseru, Thaba Tseka, Mokhotlong, and Qacha rating as top producers. What makes Lesotho’s wool distinctive is its geography: this is, after all, a mountain kingdom where altitude matters.

Wool and mohair from the high-altitude, colder regions often develops a bluish tinge, while fibre from lower altitude areas tends to display a reddish cast. These different shades reflect the various soil compositions, vegetation, and environmental conditions across Lesotho’s diverse landscapes, a natural signature of origin that processors and buyers recognise.

The Blanket is Life

For the Basotho people, wool-producing sheep represent far more than agricultural output. They’re central to the Basotho way of life, providing income, serving as a symbol of wealth, and supplying essential material for the iconic Basotho blanket.

The Basotho blanket carries profound cultural significance, marking every important life event from births and marriages to initiations and funerals. There’s even a Basotho saying that captures this importance: “Kobo ke Bophelo” — the blanket is life.

Supporting Sustainable Practices

The Lesotho National Wool and Mohair Growers Association (LNWMGA), an IWTO Associate Member since 2009, plays a crucial role in maintaining quality and supporting farmers. Through regular training courses, members learn the latest animal husbandry best practices—practices that align with IWTO’s specifications for wool sheep welfare.

With support from brokers like BKB, LNWMGA is transitioning from manual record-keeping to digital systems, ensuring better data collection and faster payments to members after auction, practical improvements that strengthen the entire supply chain.

The 2025 Wool Round Table in Maseru

The Wool Round Table in Maseru marks the first IWTO event hosted in Lesotho and celebrates a 16-year partnership between IWTO and the country’s growers. For delegates, the optional three-day industry tour (27-29 November) offers an immersive experience, from shearing sheds and communal farming systems in Lesotho to visits with 10th-generation wool farmers in South Africa.

As the wool industry continues to emphasise transparency, traceability, and sustainable practices, understanding diverse production systems becomes ever more important. Lesotho’s wool story, where high-altitude grasslands, cultural heritage, and modern quality standards intersect, offers valuable insights for the entire global wool community. Learn more about the IWTO Wool Round Table 2025 and register at iwto.org/wool-round-table-2025.

🐏🐏For a comprehensive overview of Lesotho’s wool sector, download the Lesotho Wool Industry Report.