Alcoholic beer market in Paraguay

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Paraguayan alcoholic beer market expanded as new imported brands, including premium offerings from Belgium and Argentina, entered the local landscape alongside a steady growth in craft brewing, which saw over 25 formal producers. The launch of the first canned craft beer by Sacramento Brewing Co. in 2019 further diversified available formats. However, the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily reduced market volume to 462 million liters in 2020 by disrupting production and commercial activities.

Post-pandemic recovery in 2021 drove consumption sharply higher, supported by climatic factors and increasing consumer interest in craft varieties, with monthly production reaching 70 thousand liters among Acerva association members. The entry and strengthening of imported premium brands like Miller also contributed. Despite Paraguay ranking among the top three per‑capita beer consumers in the Americas and continued craft segment diversification, total market volume contracted to 443 million liters in 2022.

In 2023, the market rebounded strongly, reaching 492 million liters—the highest level in the observed period—although specific driving factors for this year are not highlighted in the available sources.

Production alcoholic beer in Paraguay

In kind, 2018-2021, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

In 2021, Paraguay produced 265.0 million liters of alcoholic beer, representing a 12.5% decline compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 11.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 303.0 million liters, with the largest year-on-year increase of 1.2% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Paraguay in kind, 2018-2021, M l

Exports alcoholic beer from Paraguay

Exports in kind, M l

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the analyzed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 0.1 million liters and then climbed to their peak in 2021 at 2.2 million liters, representing a 21-fold increase between these two years. In 2021, Paraguay's alcoholic beer exports surged by 51.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 28.3% drop, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2020 with a remarkable 1,283.8% growth.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Paraguay in kind, 2018-2021, M l

Between 2018 and 2021, Brazil and Argentina were the dominant buyers of alcoholic beer from Paraguay, together accounting for 97.8% of total export volumes. Other destinations each represented relatively small market shares during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Paraguay in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited considerable volatility during these years. Export values reached their lowest point in 2019 at 0.1 million US dollars and peaked in 2021 at 0.6 million US dollars, representing a 6.8-fold difference between these years. In 2021, the value of alcoholic beer exports from Paraguay showed a steep gain of 31.8% compared to 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 50.6% decrease, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2020 with 418.6% growth.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Paraguay in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Throughout the 2018-2021 period, Argentina and Brazil served as the core markets for Paraguay's alcoholic beer exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 92.4% of total export flows. Other destinations maintained comparatively modest shares during this timeframe.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Paraguay in value, 2018-2021

Imports alcoholic beer to Paraguay

Imports in kind, M l

In 2021, Paraguay imported 207.2 million liters of alcoholic beer, marking a 29.1% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 26.6%, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 8.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 160.5 million liters, with the largest decline of 3.6% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Paraguay in kind, 2018-2021, M l

During the 2018-2021 period, Brazil (66.4% of import volumes), the United States (10.5% of import volumes), and the Netherlands (7.6% of import volumes) were the principal sources of alcoholic beer imports to Paraguay. Together, these three countries accounted for 84.5% of total import flows in volume terms.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Paraguay in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

After experiencing a two-year decline, alcoholic beer imports to Paraguay rebounded. In 2021, imports amounted to 154.2 million US dollars, representing a dramatic 33.8% increase compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, import values increased by 11.2%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 115.2 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 13.6% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Paraguay in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Over the 2018-2021 period, Brazil (55.8% of import value), the United States (15.5% of import value), and the Netherlands (12.3% of import value) together accounted for 83.6% of total alcoholic beer imports to Paraguay in value terms, establishing them as the main sources of imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Paraguay in value, 2018-2021