Paraguayan fish farming grows to challenge imports

Paraguay's aquaculture sector is experiencing significant growth, aiming to capture a larger share of the domestic fish market, which currently relies heavily on imports. National aquaculture production has dramatically increased from just 100 tons in the year 2000 to an impressive 22,300 tons in 2024. This represents a substantial leap, with a remarkable 58% expansion occurring between 2020 and 2024 alone. The industry is largely sustained by around 10,000 producers, the vast majority of whom are small-scale farmers with limited resources. Despite this growth, the sector is estimated to be utilizing only 5% of its full potential, while the average Paraguayan consumes 7.2 kilograms of fish annually. Areas previously used for cattle grazing or simple dams are now being transformed into fishponds stocked with tilapia, pacú, carp, and catfish, particularly in the regions of Caaguazú, Cordillera, San Pedro, and Itapúa. These departments form the heart of Paraguay's burgeoning pisciculture industry. Susana Barúa, a pisciculture specialist, notes that while production was around 500 tons in 2001 and reached 2,000 tons between 2005 and 2007, the last half-decade has been the sector's turning point. She also points out that regions like Itapúa possess untapped potential for development in aquaculture. The industry's expansion is also influenced by a decline in wild fish catches; an analysis by Mades indicates a nearly 72% drop in pacú extraction, a popular fish in Paraguay. This reduction in wild supply naturally pushes aquaculture forward as a more sustainable option for meeting consumer demand without further depleting natural fish stocks. While tilapia, pacú, carp, and catfish dominate commercial production, there are emerging efforts with the so-called river salmon. The fertile soil, water availability, and topography of Paraguay create ideal conditions for the sector's continued expansion.

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The most marked growth occurred between 2020 and 2024, when we went from 14,100 to 22,300 tons. An expansion of 58% in just four years.