ULAANBAATAR -- Mongolia is a leading player in the global market for wool -- for cashmere from goats that is.
The country is home to 30 million sheep, too. But unlike the merino breed prevalent in Australia and New Zealand whose soft, fine wool is valued for sweaters, scarves and other clothing almost as much as cashmere, Mongolia's 15 native breeds produce a fleece too thick and coarse for such use.