Paper and paperboard waste market in Paraguay

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the market for paper and paperboard waste in Paraguay expanded, reaching 52,585 t in 2019. This growth was primarily driven by increased demand for packaging from key industrial sectors such as meat processing, dairy, pharmaceuticals, and maquiladoras. Additionally, government support for establishing new companies under the maquila regime to develop packaging and containers further stimulated paper and cardboard production, subsequently boosting the volume of waste available for recycling.

The market contracted in 2020 to 42,361 t following the enactment of Law No. 6562/2020, which mandated the reduction of paper use in public administration and its replacement with digital formats. This policy directly decreased paper consumption in the state sector, reducing the generation of paper waste. However, the law's implementation, which included requirements for internal recycling systems, later supported a market recovery to 48,142 t in 2021 as public institutions, including the Supreme Court of Justice, reported significant paper and cardboard recycling efforts.

From 2022 onward, market volumes showed volatility, declining to 38,965 t in 2022 before rising to 41,783 t in 2023. The regulatory landscape continued to shape the market through the ongoing enforcement of Law No. 6562/2020 and the introduction of Law No. 7014/2022 promoting recycling, though the latter focused more on plastics. Throughout this period, the market remained dominated by key players like the state-involved Yaguarete Reciclaje, with its national collection network, and Kartotec, which solidified its position as Paraguay's largest exporter of paper and cardboard.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Paraguay

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2018-2021

World map of production of paper and paperboard waste, 2018-2021

In 2021, Paraguay produced 30 000 tonnes of paper and paperboard waste, showing little change from 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2019, at 0.0%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the output of paper and paperboard waste in Paraguay was valued at 3 371 thousand US dollars, down 18.3% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production decreased by 36.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.1%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 27.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2020, at 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Paraguay in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Paraguay

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports bottomed in 2020 and peaked in 2021, with an 8.2-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Paraguay exported 11 871 tonnes of paper and paperboard waste, marking an abrupt uptick of 718.1% from 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2020, at 1 451 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 58.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil remained the dominant and almost sole destination for Paraguay's exports of paper and paperboard waste in kind, accounting for 98.3% of the total.

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

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2021, with a 6.7-fold difference. In 2021, Paraguay exported 1 334 thousand US dollars worth of paper and paperboard waste, up 568.1% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020, at 200 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 70.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil effectively monopolized the value of paper and paperboard waste exports from Paraguay, taking 98.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Paraguay

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized market behavior during these years. Imports fell to their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2021, with a 2.2-fold difference. In 2021, Paraguay's imports of paper and paperboard waste reached 30 014 tonnes, a sharp advance of 117.3% compared to 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2020, at 13 812 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 44.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil (64.1% of imports in kind), the United States (10.7% of imports in kind), and Uruguay (8.7% of imports in kind) stood out as the main markets for Paraguay's imports of paper and paperboard waste in kind, together representing 83.5% of total flows.

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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports fell to their trough in 2020 and peaked in 2021, with a 3-fold difference. In 2021, Paraguay's imports of paper and paperboard waste from abroad reached 5 802 thousand US dollars, constituting a dramatic improvement of 203.7% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020, at 1 911 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 43.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, three principal markets—Brazil, the United States, and Uruguay—together accounted for 76.1% of total imports in value terms of paper and paperboard waste to Paraguay.

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

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