Paraguay posts record corn exports

Between July 2022 and March 2023, Paraguay exported three million tons more corn than in the previous crop period, supplying the domestic market and setting a record for exports.

This was announced by the Paraguayan Chamber of Exporters and Traders of Grains and Oilseeds (Capeco) on Sunday (16).

“The record grain production allowed Paraguay to export 4,563,000 tonnes by the end of March, an increase of 3,037,075 tonnes compared to the 1,525,925 tonnes unloaded during the same period in the 2021 campaign,” said a statement published on Capeco’s website.

The union said that between January and March of this year, 442,148 tonnes of corn were exported, more than the 255,865 tonnes registered in the same period of 2022.

According to a Capeco record, the value of exports between January and March 2023 was US$107.6 million, an increase of US$57.2 million compared to the same period last year.

Capeco’s foreign trade advisor, Sonia Tomassone, highlighted in the release that a large part of the national production in 2022 was destined for countries outside Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay), which allowed diversification of markets and shipping companies that have significant cargo volumes.

The main destination for Paraguayan corn is Brazil, whit 45% of shipments.

However, the union highlights the “significant increase” in exports to Chile, South Korea, Peru, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and other markets in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe.