Although it is a landlocked country, Paraguay is open to international trade, which represents 71% of the country’s GDP (World Bank, latest data available). Even though Paraguay is a founding member of Mercosur, the country was excluded from the bloc in 2012 due to President Fernando Lugo’s impeachment, but soon re-joined the group in 2013, after President Horacio Cartes was elected. The country mainly exports meat (18.4%), electrical energy (16.8%), cereals (15%), and oilseeds and oleaginous fruits (14%); while imports are led by fuels (16.5%), electrical machinery and equipment (15.6%), boilers, machinery, and other (11.6%), motor vehicles, tractors (8.0%), fertilizers (4.9% - data Directorate for Foreign Trade and Investment 2022).
According to official data, Paraguay’s main export partners in 2022 were Brazil (USD 3,663 million), Argentina (USD 1,943 million), Chile (USD 1,137 million), Russia (USD 356 million), and the U.S. (USD 255 million). Concerning imports, they came chiefly from China (USD 4,222 million), Brazil (USD 3,483 million), the U.S. (USD 1,348 million), Argentina (USD 1,241 million), and Singapore (USD 357 million). The Government’s economic policy aims to increase international trade to boost the economy and develop competitive sectors, through low and uniform tariff protections. In an attempt to diversify its economic partners, the country has sought permanent membership in the Pacific Alliance trade bloc, as it is currently only an observer. Paraguay is a member of the WTO and Mercosur, and has trade agreements with Colombia, Egypt, Israel, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Morocco, Mexico, and India, among others.
According to the WTO, in 2022, imports of goods amounted to USD 15.8 billion, marking a 16.9% increase year-on-year, while exports decreased by 5.6%, to USD 9.9 billion. Concerning the trade of services, imports totaled USD 2.3 billion, while exports amounted to USD 2.1 billion. In the same year, the World Bank estimated the country’s trade deficit to account for around 4.9% of GDP. Figures from Banco de Paraguay show that, in 2023, exports surged 19.5% year-on-year to USD 11.9 billion, against USD 15.6 billion in imports.
Foreign Trade Indicators | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Imports of Goods (million USD) | 12,544 | 10,217 | 13,560 | 15,853 | 16,105 |
Exports of Goods (million USD) | 7,968 | 8,518 | 10,547 | 9,957 | 11,891 |
Imports of Services (million USD) | 2,041 | 1,252 | 1,722 | 2,398 | 2,444 |
Exports of Services (million USD) | 2,203 | 1,384 | 1,598 | 2,155 | 2,544 |
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | -2 | -15 | 22 | 6 | n/a |
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | -3 | -9 | 2 | -2 | n/a |
Trade Balance (million USD) | 203 | 1,226 | 629 | -1,929 | n/a |
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 71 | 63 | 70 | 74 | n/a |
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 35 | 29 | 34 | 39 | n/a |
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 36 | 33 | 35 | 34 | n/a |
Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation ; World Bank - Latest available data.
Main Customers (% of Exports) |
2023 |
---|---|
Argentina | 36.1% |
Brazil | 25.3% |
Chile | 9.7% |
United States | 2.3% |
Russia | 2.2% |
See More Countries | 24.3% |
Main Suppliers (% of Imports) |
2023 |
---|---|
China | 33.6% |
Brazil | 24.4% |
United States | 7.9% |
Argentina | 7.2% |
Germany | 2.1% |
See More Countries | 24.7% |
Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data
Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data
To go further, check out our service Import-Export Flows
1.1 bn USD of services exported in 2022 | |
---|---|
40.61% | |
Personal travelPersonal travel | 40.61% |
OtherOther | 20.56% |
38.83% | |
17.05% | |
1.81% | |
0.76% | |
0.70% | |
0.24% |
1.9 bn USD of services imported in 2022 | |
---|---|
55.88% | |
36.61% | |
Personal travelPersonal travel | 36.61% |
OtherOther | 7.51% |
2.71% | |
2.33% | |
1.21% | |
0.80% | |
0.35% | |
0.11% |
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, Latest Available Data
Member of Latin American Integration Association
Member of Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)
The country have signed a trade agreement with 21 other countries in the São Paulo Round of the Global System of Trade Preferences among Developing Countries (GSTP).
Member of Latin American Integration Association
Member of Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)
The country have signed a trade agreement with 21 other countries in the São Paulo Round of the Global System of Trade Preferences among Developing Countries (GSTP).
Any Comment About This Content? Report It to Us.
© eexpand, All Rights Reserved.
Latest Update: May 2024