Paraguay may resume soybean exports to Taiwan after nearly ten years. The information was confirmed by Hugo Pastore, executive director of the Paraguayan Chamber of Exporters and Marketers of Cereals and Oilseeds (Capeco), following a meeting with representatives of the Taiwan Vegetable Oil Manufacturers Association (TVOA), which is composed of grain importers.
The meeting took place within the framework of the Taiwan–Paraguay 2026 Strategic Industries Mission, held from May 6 to 9, during the official visit of President Santiago Peña to the Asian country.
According to Pastore, the groundwork was laid to resume exports. “We have planted the seed again to restart the commercialization of Paraguayan soybeans. The market is open for Paraguay, but now we need to align operational, logistical, and pricing issues so that business between Paraguayan and Taiwanese companies can materialize,” he said.
Capeco is currently preparing a proposal with the aim of closing a commercial operation this year. Taiwan imports soybeans mainly from Brazil and the United States, but the Paraguayan entity believes the country can supply part of that demand.
The last Paraguayan soybean export to Taiwan occurred around 2015. Pastore recalled that the suspension of shipments was due to the reopening of the Argentine market starting in 2016, following tax changes implemented during the government of Mauricio Macri.
The director suggested that Taiwan reserve a portion of its imports specifically for Paraguayan soybeans. “If hypothetically 15% or 20% of Taiwanese imports were purchased as Paraguayan soybeans, we would be talking about around 500,000 tons per year. That would be very important for us,” he stated.
Pastore also highlighted that Paraguay now has a much larger production than in previous years. Combining the main harvest and the second harvest, the country is expected to reach between 11 and 12 million tons this year. “The intention is to first close a deal, sell a ship, and then continue growing in this market,” he concluded.