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Paraguay: Beef exports grow after third quarter
The next step is to diversify and open new markets, considered Senacsa
Beef exports from Paraguay recorded a solid performance at the end of the third quarter of 2025 (January to September), as reported by the National Animal Health and Quality Service (Senacsa) in Asunción.
Beef exports increased 10.5% compared to the same period last year, with a total of 276,764 tons shipped. This is the highest level of beef exports since 2017.
Foreign currency earnings from beef exports recorded a significant increase of 31.7%, totaling more than US$1,604 million (compared to US$1,217 million in 2024). The average price per ton of beef recovered, rising 9%, from US$5,621 in January to US$6,144 in September. Shipments from the meat complex in general (including meat, offal and other products of animal origin) had a slight drop of 6% in volume, but an increase of 19% in value, exceeding US$2 billion.
Although overall performance was strong, monthly volumes showed fluctuations, with shipments highest in June (35,635 tonnes) and lowest in April (26,382 tonnes).
Paraguay exported red meat to 50 destinations. Chile continued to be the dominant market, representing 30% of total exports in volume and more than 514 million dollars in value. After Chile were Taiwan (221.6 million dollars) and Israel (207.1 million dollars). These three destinations represented 83.9% of the value of Paraguay’s beef exports.
This concentration is considered both a sign of confidence in the quality of Paraguayan beef and a risk due to the high dependence on a limited number of buyers. Furthermore, exports to the United States showed historic growth, with a 65.5% increase in volume and almost doubling in revenue (a 98.5% increase) to reach $147.4 million in 2025.
Senacsa and sector experts agree that the main challenge and future strategy must be diversification and the opening of new markets, especially in Asia and the Middle East, to reduce dependence on the main buyers.
Overall, the report reflects a historic year for the Paraguayan beef industry, consolidating its position as an important global meat trader, driven by high international demand and rising prices.