Paraguay - Agricultural Sectors Paraguay - Agricultural Sectors
Overview
Paraguay is the world’s largest exporter of organic sugar, second-largest producer and exporter of stevia, sixth-largest soy exporter, and seventh-largest beef exporter.Paraguay's efforts to improve agricultural and livestock production present opportunities for basic inputs, such as animal genetics. Farmers and ranchers are aware that using quality inputs is a key factor in their operations' profitability and have been adopting advanced production practices, providing opportunities for fertilizers, pest control, and farm equipment.
In late 2013, the World Organization for Animal Health reinstated Paraguay’s status as a country free of Foot-and-Mouth Disease with vaccination. This status paves the way for Paraguay to increase beef exports, creating opportunities for U.S. meat and poultry processing equipment. Parts for processing equipment are also a good prospect for U.S. exports, given the need to repair existing machines.
Processed foods and high-value items, including processed fruits, vegetables, and beverages, also show promise for U.S. exporters. Fresh fruits and vegetables have weaker demand, but frozen and canned products have gained wide acceptance for their convenience and uniform quality.
Paraguay has the potential to become an important player in the world's biofuel sector. The government has expressed interest in biofuels, with legislation to promote biofuels production and consumption already in place. Focus is currently on sugar-based ethanol production for local market and export, and on biodiesel production by small rural producers for local market. Biodiesel and ethanol producers will focus on increasing production and expanding exports. Plant construction projects and production expansion will present sales opportunities for U.S. suppliers of building and construction materials and biofuels processing machinery.
Paraguay is the world’s second-largest producer of stevia after China. Paraguay has the potential to be a global provider of stevia, creating opportunities to sell new and used processing machinery. The most important market for stevia is currently the food and beverage industry, where it is chiefly employed as a sweetener and a flavoring agent. Other important stevia markets include health and tea.
Sub-Sector Best Prospects
Agricultural MachineryOverview
Agriculture is the primary driver of the Paraguayan economy. Farmers and ranchers are aware that using quality inputs is a key factor in their operations’ profitability and have been adopting advanced production practices.Tractors (and accessories), harvesting machinery, bulldozers, backhoes, and excavators are usually in high demand, depending on the prospects for a successful harvest. Paraguay is among the few countries in Latin America that permits used machinery imports. Competition from other exporting countries is strong, and U.S. exporters must provide good follow-on service to be successful.
Opportunities
There could be an opportunity for irrigation projects in Paraguay, including in the Chaco region in the western half of the country.Web Resources
Paraguayan Importers ChamberParaguayan-American Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Embassy Asuncion
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