Maize flour and cereals market in Paraguay

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2022, the Paraguayan maize flour and cereals market expanded from 601.1 thousand tons to 683.1 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by increased local corn consumption after Industria Paraguaya de Alcoholes S.A. (Inpasa) commissioned a second ethanol and DDGS plant in 2018, raising domestic demand for corn processing and stimulating production.

The market volume stabilized at 678.6 thousand tons in 2023. In subsequent years, corn exports gained importance, reaching 0.8 thousand tons in 2025, supported by substantial harvests and sustained external demand from markets like Brazil, with companies such as Cargill and Agrofértil actively participating in export activities.

Production maize flour and cereals in Paraguay

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2018-2021

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2018-2021

Paraguay's production of maize flour and cereals has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 670.0 K t, showing a modest 4.0% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 11.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Paraguay in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports maize flour and cereals from Paraguay

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 14 t, then surged to a peak in 2018, with a 32-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Paraguay exported 19 t of maize flour and cereals, marking a 10.2% year-on-year decline. The largest decrease occurred in 2019, falling by 96.9%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2020, rising by 58.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Paraguay in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Argentina remained the primary buyer of maize flour and cereals from Paraguay, accounting for 80.9% of total exports in kind. The remaining share was distributed among various other countries.

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, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 11.0 K $ US, then peaked in 2018, with an 11.4-fold variation between these years. In 2021, foreign supplies of maize flour and cereals from Paraguay amounted to 14.2 K $ US, representing a robust 12.8% drop compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, down by 91.2%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2020, up by 48.2%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Argentina and Spain clearly dominated the export partner structure in value terms, with other countries collectively making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Paraguay

Imports in kind, t

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Imports fell to their lowest point in 2019 at 213 t, then reached their maximum in 2021, showing a 5.7-fold amplitude between these years. In 2021, cross-border shipments of maize flour and cereals to Paraguay totaled 1 220 t, which is 269.0% higher than the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, down by 28.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Paraguay in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018–2021, Brazil and Argentina were the core markets for imports in kind, jointly representing 91.9% of total flows. Other destinations held comparatively modest shares.

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, K $ US

Paraguay's imports of maize flour and cereals from abroad have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 659.1 K $ US, up by 144.9% year-on-year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 253.7%, equating to an average annual rate of 52.4%.

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

In the period from 2018 to 2021, the two leading markets—Brazil and Argentina—together accounted for 84.9% of total imports in value terms. The remaining volume was spread across a wide range of other countries.

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

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