Expanding Market Opportunities for Paraguay’s Pork Industry
To strengthen Paraguay’s pork industry and support its expansion into new markets, PROCADENAS developed a comprehensive set of studies, strategies, and policy recommendations that targeted both domestic and international demand.
A first step was the analysis of consumer behaviour and perceptions regarding pork consumption in the Paraguayan market. The study identified barriers to wider consumption, such as cultural habits, misconceptions about health effects, and limited availability of fresh pork cuts. Findings from this research informed a targeted communication strategy aimed at promoting pork as a healthy, affordable, and versatile protein source, with the goal of increasing domestic demand.
In parallel, efforts were made to expand export markets. A market opportunity study analysed potential international buyers, evaluating short-, medium-, and long-term prospects. The findings laid out a roadmap for Paraguayan pork exports, identifying key markets such as Uruguay, Brazil, Eastern Europe, and Taiwan in the short term, while highlighting opportunities in North America and Asia for the future. The report also stressed the importance of ensuring compliance with international sanitary standards and enhancing traceability systems to facilitate exports.
Recognizing the need for stronger regulatory support, the project also conducted an analysis of the legal framework governing the pork industry. This resulted in a proposal for regulatory updates aimed at streamlining public-private collaboration, improving sector governance, and strengthening quality control measures. The study recommended the creation of a National Pork Commission, modeled after international best practices, to provide strategic direction and industry coordination.
These interventions mark a significant step forward for Paraguay’s pork industry, ensuring that it is better positioned to grow both in domestic and international markets. With coordinated action between producers, regulatory agencies, and industry stakeholders, the country is now in a stronger position to capitalize on global demand for high-quality pork.
PROCADENAS, officially known as the ‘Promotion of a Diversified and Sustainable Livestock Production’ project, is funded by the European Union and supports Paraguay in strengthening sustainable livestock production and expanding opportunities for non-traditional value chains such as pig farming, poultry, dairy, aquaculture, beekeeping, sheep, and goat farming. Implemented by an international consortium led by Equinoccio, the initiative works closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and SENACSA to improve regulations, market access, and sector competitiveness through policy updates, capacity-building, and digital tools.