Paraguay led price stability in South America in June, recording a 0.3% deflation in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), according to data from the Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP). The decline was mainly driven by reductions in the prices of vegetables, tubers, fresh fruits, eggs, and meat.
Chile came in second with a variation of 0.0%, followed by Peru with 0.13%. Uruguay and Colombia posted moderate rates of 0.37% and 0.39%, respectively, while Argentina recorded 1.90% and Bolivia 2.15%. Venezuela led regional inflation with 13.80% in the same period.
In parallel, the BCP reported a 12.3% reduction in electricity exports in the first half of 2026, totaling USD 524.3 million. The drop is attributed to higher domestic consumption, including a significant increase in the cryptocurrency mining sector.
Gustavo Cohener, Manager of Economic Statistics at the BCP, explained that higher local consumption, especially of energy generated by the Itaipu hydroelectric plant, impacted external sales. Exports to Brazil fell by 16.6%, while sales to Argentina increased by 4.9%.
Data from Paraguay's state electricity utility, ANDE, confirms a 19.4% growth in energy consumption accumulated through May, reflecting the expansion of domestic demand.