Paraguay eyes new markets for meat and dairy exports

Paraguay is actively seeking to broaden its international reach for key agricultural exports, with President José Carlos Martin of the National Animal Quality and Health Service (Senacsa) highlighting ongoing negotiations and sanitary audits with Mexico and Turkey.

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There is a subject that we have to solve first, but the Taiwanese market has enormous potential, which today is supplied almost 100% by New Zealand, not only for powdered milk but also for fresh products.

Martin emphasized the potential for dairy products within the European Union's quota system and also pointed to Taiwan as a significant market. While acknowledging recent "cooling" in diplomatic relations, he noted the successful opening for poultry exports, with the first shipment already completed. The dairy sector also presents an opportunity in Taiwan, though Martin cited a five-year-old request from Taiwanese authorities that Paraguay must address.

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New Zealand is five days by boat and Paraguay is 65 days.

Despite logistical hurdles, such as the 65-day shipping time to Taiwan compared to New Zealand's five days, Senacsa is pursuing opportunities for powdered milk and fresh dairy products. Taiwan is already a major market for Paraguayan pork and ranks fourth for beef exports. The country anticipates Mexico's beef market could open by late 2026 or early 2027, following a successful sanitary audit. Additionally, Turkey is scheduled to conduct an inspection of Paraguay's meat industry in August, with Egypt also expressing interest in an audit.

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This year will end up being the main market for Paraguayan pork, and beef is in fourth position, which for the volume handled is not insignificant.