Peru has emerged as a sourcing center, as a quick-turn, high-quality manufacturing locale with model compliance standards and workmanship unmatched among many of its regional competitors. Other advantages are its homegrown pima cotton, its proximity to and duty-free trade privileges with the US.

The country produces high-end and mid-tier blends, most often using modal, micro modal, tri-blends, polyester, cotton, pima and Supima. Knits are a key specialty in Peru. Owing to its high-quality manufacturing, Peru has lured major brands like Polo Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Hugo Boss, John Varvatos and Lacoste.

Many factories in Peru are equipped for advanced processes and finishes like mercerization and techniques to minimize fabric shrinkage, and the care with which factories handle the product has been key for these high-quality brands. For brands doing cotton and cotton blend knits, control of shrinkage is very important. Peruvian factories can panel wash the fabric, then leave it to relax before they cut, therefore controlling the shrinkage much better than just fabric roll washing. The country also enjoys free trade with Canada, Europe, China and Japan, among others.

The country’s duty free status is a big plus, especially if the brand is making rayon-rich products. Mills in Peru are starting to develop more and more rayon-rich blend knits in an effort to capture this business, which is still largely Asia based.