Pork market in Paraguay

Earlier Report Observations

The Paraguayan pork market showed consistent growth in physical volume from 2018 to 2022, with domestic consumption increasing from 54 704 t to 65 750 t. This upward trend was reversed in 2023 when the market size contracted sharply to 55 998 t, a change accompanied by a decline in production and a simultaneous jump in export volumes.

A pivotal event was the opening of Taiwan's market for Paraguayan boneless pork in November 2022, which provided a major new export outlet. This opportunity, coupled with a previously noted increase in domestic pork demand, supported the market's expansion up to 2022 and subsequently fueled a rapid rise in exports.

The surge in shipments abroad, which grew from 2 424 t in 2022 to over 16 000 t by 2025, redirected a portion of national production, contributing to the reduced availability for local consumption in 2023. The new trade access fundamentally altered the sector's dynamics in the latter part of the period.

Production pork in Paraguay

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of pork, 2018-2021

World map of production of pork, 2018-2021

Paraguay's pork production volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 66 899 tonnes of pork, marking a moderate 4.8% advance compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 13.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 4.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 58 463 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 0.4% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2020 with a 9.2% rise.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Paraguay's pork production value rebounded. In 2021, the output of pork was valued at 134.1 million US dollars, up by 27.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, however, production value decreased by 6.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 105.6 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 16.2% occurring that same year.

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

Exports pork from Paraguay

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, foreign pork supplies from Paraguay amounted to 4 229 tonnes, representing a solid 17.3% fall compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 9.4%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 3.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 5 116 tonnes, with the largest increase of 19.1% also occurring that year.

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

Throughout the period from 2018 to 2021, the three largest markets—Russia, Georgia, and Uruguay—remained central to Paraguay's pork exports in kind, collectively accounting for 84.4% of total flows.

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

After a two-year reduction, exported pork volumes from Paraguay showed an increase. In 2021, exports amounted to 8 480 thousand US dollars, recording only a marginal fluctuation compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 25.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 8 457 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline of 18.7% occurred in 2019.

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

Throughout 2018–2021, Russia (54.9% of exports in value terms), Georgia (24.3%), and Uruguay (5.5%) remained the key partners for Paraguay's pork exports in value terms, together accounting for 84.7% 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 pork to Paraguay

Imports in kind, t

Paraguay imported approximately 46 tonnes of pork in 2021, equivalent to a sharp contraction of 82.2% year-on-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 93%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -58.8%.

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

Throughout 2018–2021, Brazil and Germany formed the core markets for pork imports in kind to Paraguay, with a combined share of 100.0% 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

Paraguay imported approximately 133 thousand US dollars of pork in 2021, indicating a contraction of 76.2% from a year earlier. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 90.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 53.9%.

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

Throughout 2018–2021, Brazil (with 97.7% of total flows) and Germany (2.3%) were the key markets for pork imports in value terms to Paraguay, together forming 100.0% of total flows.

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

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