Taiwan takes 79% of Paraguay’s pork exports as shipment volumes rise

Export volume grows faster than revenue

Paraguay exported 12,815 tonnes of pork between January and August 2026, generating $35.525 million in FOB revenue, according to Última Hora. The figures, compiled by the Paraguayan Association of Pig Producers from records held by Senacsa, the Central Bank of Paraguay and customs authorities, show continued growth in both production and foreign trade.

Shipments increased by 8% from the same period of 2025, when Paraguay exported 11,839 tonnes. Export revenue, however, rose by only 1% from $35.021 million. The divergence means that the additional volume did not produce a comparable increase in foreign-currency earnings, an issue that directly affects margins and price formation across the pork supply chain.

Taiwan dominates the destination mix

Taiwan received 79% of Paraguay’s exported pork volume during the eight-month period and generated 85% of its FOB value. Its higher share of revenue than volume indicates that it is not only the largest destination but also the most valuable outlet within the country’s current market portfolio.

Brazil ranked second, accounting for 16% of volume and 11% of value. Uruguay represented 5% of shipments and 3% of FOB revenue, while the Philippines held shares of less than 1%. These figures leave Paraguay’s pork industry with limited diversification: Taiwan and Brazil together absorbed 95% of exported volume, while the other identified markets provided only a small alternative channel.

Taiwan’s role supports foreign-currency generation and gives Paraguayan processors access to a major Asian market. At the same time, such concentration exposes producers, slaughterhouses and exporters to changes in demand, market access or purchasing conditions in a single destination. Brazil offers some regional diversification, but its substantially smaller share does not offset Taiwan’s weight.

August highlights pressure on export returns

The imbalance between shipment growth and revenue was especially pronounced in August. Paraguay exported 2,384 tonnes of pork during the month, up 42% from 1,684 tonnes in August 2025. Yet the total FOB value fell by nearly 13%, from $6.068 million to $5.278 million. Exporters therefore sold considerably more meat abroad while receiving less total revenue than a year earlier.

Taiwan remained dominant in August, absorbing 78% of volume and 82% of value. Brazil took 18% of volume and 15% of revenue, while Uruguay accounted for 4% and 3%, respectively. The distribution was broadly consistent with the January-August pattern and confirms that the recent increase in shipments has not materially broadened Paraguay’s customer base.

Growth brings a diversification challenge

Higher slaughter and export volumes show that Paraguay’s pork industry is expanding its capacity to supply international buyers. The commercial result is less straightforward: annual growth in tonnage has outpaced growth in earnings, while the August comparison shows that larger shipments can coincide with lower revenue.

For producers and processors, future profitability will depend not only on increasing output but also on protecting export returns. Taiwan remains the central commercial partner, but expanding sales in Brazil, Uruguay, the Philippines or additional destinations would reduce exposure to one buyer and give exporters more options when prices or purchasing conditions change.