Paraguay closed the first quarter of 2026 with a trade surplus of US$84.2 million, reversing the US$39.9 million deficit recorded in the same period of 2025. The result was driven mainly by the soy complex, which posted a 43.2% jump in export value, reaching US$1,510.1 million. Total exports grew 14.6%, totaling US$6,205.9 million, while imports rose 12.2%, totaling US$6,121.7 million.
The soy complex accounted for 35.7% of all foreign sales. Soybean grain exports rose 37.4% in volume, with Argentina purchasing 89.8% of production. Soybean oil grew 31.8% in value and soybean meal 15.8%. In contrast, beef fell 11.1% in value and 24% in volume, with Chile remaining the main destination (35.4%). Pork, however, surged 62.6%, with Taiwan buying nearly all production.
Among other grains, wheat rose 42.7% in value, while corn fell 21.3%. Argentina and Brazil accounted for 42.5% and 26.6% of exports, respectively. On the import side, China led as a supplier of mobile phones and data processing machines. The maquila regime contributed US$469.8 million, up 29.7%, with ethyl alcohol and auto parts standing out. Electricity exports fell 19.2% in value and 45% in volume due to higher domestic consumption.
In the payments sector, digitalization is advancing rapidly. Electronic transactions grew 24% in the first quarter, with a 35% increase in the number of operations. The average ticket fell 9% to G. 117,000, indicating use for everyday purchases. More than 70% of digital payments are made via mobile phone, and 8 out of 10 transactions use QR Code. Debit card transactions led growth (32%), followed by credit card transactions (13%). Supermarkets account for 28% of payments, gas stations 15%, stores 12%, and restaurants and health 10% each. Of the more than 160,000 registered merchants, about 85,000 are small and medium-sized enterprises, which have benefited from tools such as smart POS and electronic invoicing, which has already surpassed 300,000 invoices issued.
The business mission to Taiwan, which accompanied President Santiago Peña, resulted in agreements in the areas of carbon credits, technology, and poultry meat exports. The president of the Paraguayan Industrial Union (UIP), Enrique Duarte, highlighted that the bilateral relationship has shifted from being purely governmental to having a commercial focus, opening new opportunities for the private sector.