Raw bovine and equine hides and skins market in Paraguay

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market volume for raw bovine and equine hides in Paraguay expanded from 79 112 t to 83 180 t, while production rose from 76 233 t to 81 432 t. Throughout this period, a CONACOM study on beef market competition analyzed the sector's structure and pricing factors, though no specific regulatory changes or new entrants were reported for the hides segment.

After reaching its peak in 2021, the market volume contracted to 81 857 t in 2022 and further to 75 098 t in 2023, with production falling to 80 217 t and 70 108 t respectively.

By 2024 and 2025, the Paraguayan beef sector experienced shifts including global climatic conditions, the adoption of international sanitary standards, and the United States emerging as a primary export destination for beef in October 2025. Changes in tax regulations also required more detailed financial disclosure to enhance transparency. Since raw hides supply is directly tied to cattle slaughter volumes, these factors in the meat industry influence hides availability.

Production raw bovine and equine hides and skins in Paraguay

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Paraguay ranked 21st globally in terms of production volume for raw bovine and equine hides and skins.

Top producers of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, 2018-2021

World map of production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, 2018-2021

Paraguay's production of raw bovine and equine hides and skins increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 81 432 tonnes, representing a slight gain of 1.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 6.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 75 033 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 1.6%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020, with a 7.0% rise.

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

Exports raw bovine and equine hides and skins from Paraguay

Exports in kind, t

The export market displayed volatility during the observed period. Exports peaked in 2020 and reached their lowest point in 2021, with a 16-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Paraguay exported 27 tonnes of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, marking a sharp year-over-year decline of 93.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 444 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a substantial rise of 1 376.0%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Paraguay's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins were almost exclusively directed to Brazil, which accounted for 97.0% of total exports in volume terms.

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 export market in value terms showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Exports peaked in 2019 and fell to their lowest point in 2021, with a 5.9-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Paraguay exported raw bovine and equine hides and skins worth 25 thousand US dollars, representing an abrupt reduction of 64.9% compared to 2020. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 146 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 341.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil and Egypt formed the core of Paraguay's exports of raw bovine and equine hides and skins in value terms, together accounting for 100.0% of total export 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 raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Paraguay

Imports in kind, t

The import market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Paraguay imported 1 774 tonnes of raw bovine and equine hides and skins, marking a notable increase of 22.3% compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2020 at 1 450 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 4 685 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a 69.0% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a 61.3% rise.

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

Over the 2018-2021 period, Argentina was the dominant supplier of raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Paraguay, accounting for 89.3% of total imports in volume terms, with other countries sharing the remaining volume.

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 in import values, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports peaked in 2018 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, with a 4.2-fold gap between these years. In 2021, Paraguay's imports of foreign raw bovine and equine hides and skins reached 1 933 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant year-over-year gain of 222.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 600 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 75.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Argentina was the dominant supplier of raw bovine and equine hides and skins to Paraguay in value terms, accounting for 83.5% of total imports, with other countries sharing the remaining volume.

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

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