Argentina

Paraguay recorded deflation of 0.3% in June, reducing its annual inflation rate to 2.1%, the second lowest in the region, behind only Ecuador.

Taiwan was the primary destination, purchasing 86% of the pork exported by Paraguay in the first half of the year, which saw an 11% growth in volume and a 15% increase in revenue.

The EU's sanitary restrictions on Brazilian beef create opportunities for Paraguay to expand its exports to Europe, competing with Uruguay and Argentina for market share.

Paraguay argues that the toll on the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway, currently around US$1.30 per ton, should remain stable or even decrease under the new concession, in order to protect the country's foreign trade and preserve the competitiveness of the river corridor.

An agreement to supply electricity to Atome's fertilizer plant in Villeta at a preferential rate of $30 per MWh could result in a $750 million loss for Paraguay and ANDE over 15 years.

Paraguay formally joined the Santiago Regional Commitment against Transnational Organized Crime in June 2026, during the 56th General Assembly of the OAS in Panama City, expanding the agreement initially signed by Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru.

In 2026, Paraguay's apparent labor productivity was US$13,728 per person, placing it below eight Latin American countries, including Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay, and surpassing only Bolivia.

Paraguay has stepped up immigration controls and international cooperation after an Argentine case exposed an alleged Russian-linked influence network, though authorities have not confirmed whether any suspects or Russian nationals were actually identified or turned away at the border.

The rise in auto parts theft in Paraguay, especially in vehicles imported through Chile, has driven up insurance premiums and led insurers to adopt measures such as coverage limits, annual claim caps, and deductibles to contain losses.

The 2026 World Cup will generate around 30,000 temporary jobs in Paraguay, especially in gastronomy and retail, and boost consumption in supermarkets and stores by 35%, according to expert Enrique López Arce.

Senave recorded a record in Paraguay's stevia exports through May 2026, with a 518% increase compared to the previous year, totaling 142 tons exported mainly to Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Spain.

Paraguayan exports with a Certificate of Origin totaled $693 million in May, with the Americas as the main market ($510 million), led by Brazil ($190 million), followed by Argentina ($170 million) and Chile ($60 million).

Paraguay recorded a 46% increase in international tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period the previous year, leading global tourism growth according to the UN Tourism World Tourism Barometer, while South America as a bloc saw a 1% decline in the period.

Paraguay ended May with the third-lowest country risk in Latin America and the Caribbean, with an EMBI of 104 basis points, trailing only Uruguay (61 points) and Chile (86 points), according to data from Bloomberg Línea based on the index compiled by J.P. Morgan.

Brazil has proposed the creation of a free flight zone within Mercosur to allow national airlines to operate domestic flights in other member countries, aiming to enhance regional integration and facilitate low-cost flights.

The Yacyretá Binational Entity (EBY) refused to disclose the results of audits conducted by the firms Audicon and Ayca in 2023, as well as internal and external audits, citing legal constraints arising from the special regime governing the entity. Paraguayan lawyer Federico Legal, who requested the information through a public access to information request, described the refusal as arbitrary and stated that those responsible may face penalties under Paraguayan law.

The Chamber of Shopping Malls of Paraguay (CCCPy) reported a 7% increase in mall sales during the first four months of 2026, driven by supermarkets and food services, but warned of a slowdown in growth momentum due to a 25% drop in spending by Argentine visitors and the impact of dollar devaluation on exchange rates.

Delegations from Mercosur countries and associates met in Asunción to discuss updating travel documents, information exchange, and document security, with Bolivia absent.

On May 28, Asunción will welcome business leaders from Mercosur to discuss trade facilitation, logistics infrastructure, and reducing bureaucratic barriers. The meeting, organized by Paraguay's National Chamber of Commerce and Services, will include representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia, and will feature dialogue with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the National Foreign Ministry.

Deputy Industry Minister Javier Viveros said the 56th General Assembly of the Latin American Association of Development Finance Institutions (Alide), held in Asunción, strengthens the country brand and positions Paraguay as a strategic destination for investment and industrial development. The event, running through May 22, brings together representatives from development banks and multilateral organizations, with the National Development Bank (BNF) as host.

The president of the Paraguayan Chamber of Supermarkets (Capasu), Gustavo Lezcano, stated that basic basket prices are stable, with no inflationary spike, and that consumers find cheaper options on the shelves, such as 15 brands of oil. He attributed the stability to the dollar exchange rate and the effects of Argentine inflation on imported goods.

While Mercosur recorded an 8% increase in beef exports between January and April 2026, Paraguay saw a 25% contraction, the largest relative decline in the bloc. The average price per ton rose 17%, but shipped volume fell to 87,899 tons.

The Feria Empresarial del Paraguay (FEPY) already brings together 20 countries for its 2026 International Business Round, with 55.46% of registrations coming from abroad. The organization is betting on decentralization to include companies from the department of Alto Paraná and surpass the US$ 260 million in business intentions from the previous edition.

Amid questions about the electronic voting system, the Superior Electoral Justice Court (TSJE) detailed the security mechanisms of RFID chips in ballots, including encryption and validation, to prevent fraud in the June 7 internal party elections.