Consumption in Paraguay regained strength in June, according to the latest report from the Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP). The Business Figures Estimator (ECN) recorded a 4.1% expansion in sales for the month, compared to June of the previous year, closing the first half of 2026 with an accumulated growth of 4.5%.
The performance was driven mainly by greater dynamism in the services, commerce, and manufacturing sectors. The services sector showed positive behavior, with emphasis on spending in restaurants, hotels, real estate services, transportation, telecommunications, and information services. On the other hand, there was a moderation in sales of services directly contracted by companies.
In commerce, increases in sales linked to the automotive sector stood out, which expanded more than 15%, followed by chemical-pharmaceutical products, with an 8.1% increase, construction materials, with 10%, and sales in large stores and clothing, with 7.2%. There was also growth in food products and agricultural inputs. In contrast, the fuel and technology products sectors recorded adverse performances.
In the manufacturing industry, growth was explained mainly by higher sales of pharmaceutical products, beverages and tobacco, machinery and equipment (such as auto parts), non-metallic minerals, and dairy products. These results were partially offset by declines in the commercialization of meats, bakery products, sugar, textiles, and footwear.