MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Paraguay's incipient pig farming exported 5,500 tons of pork to Taiwan in 2023

Paraguay pork exports, including offal, reached 7,689 tons in 2023. This signifies a substantial increase of 541% compared to 2022, when only 1,184 tons were shipped.

Following on the opening of the Taiwanese market for Paraguay pork exports, 2023 finished with a remarkable growth of 550%, over 2022, both in volume and value. Paraguay is one of the very few countries in the world that still has full diplomatic relations with the Republic of China, better known as Taiwan.

According to the latest report from Paraguay National Service of Quality and Animal Health (Senacsa), by the end of December 2023, pork exports, including offal, reached a total of 7,689 tons. This signifies a substantial increase of 541% compared to 2022, when only 1,184 tons were shipped.

This volume generated revenue equivalent of US$ 19 million, representing a significant 570% surge from the previous period.

These export levels are primarily attributed to the opening of the Taiwanese market, which now absorbs 72% of the total market for this product, becoming the primary destination for Paraguayan pork in less than a year.

In this context, Senacsa reports that in the last 12 months, the Republic of China (Taiwan) imported products valued at almost US$ 14 million, equivalent to around 5,536 tons.

The first shipment of pork cuts exported to Taiwan occurred in February 2023. Among other destinations, Uruguay takes 21%, followed by Georgia, Brazil, and Angola, among other markets, points out the Paraguayan Official News Agency.

However since Taiwan has a population of 24 million, and a policy of self sufficiency regarding food given its ongoing conflict with Beijing, the 5,500 tons of pork exported by Paraguay in 2023 are peanuts, and have a far higher political signal than a true trade operation.