The Paraguayan economy maintained its expansion pace in April 2026, with the Monthly Economic Activity Indicator (Imaep) recording a 3.4% growth compared to the same month the previous year. In the first four months of the year, the indicator rose 5.1%, driven by positive contributions from all major economic sectors.
The primary sector grew 3.6% in April and accumulated a 6.8% increase through the fourth month of the year. Agriculture led the results, with higher expected production of soybeans, sugarcane, cassava, beans, sunflower, and tobacco in the 2025/2026 harvest, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG). On the other hand, livestock showed negative performance during the period, mainly due to a reduction in cattle slaughter, although there were increases in pig and poultry slaughter, as well as higher production of raw milk and eggs.
The secondary sector posted a 4.5% year-on-year growth in April, with a 4.9% increase accumulated over the four months. Electricity generation stood out positively, along with energy distribution, water supply, and environmental sanitation. Construction also advanced, driven by a faster pace of private projects. Manufacturing showed a 2.0% variation in April and a 4.3% increase accumulated, with positive results in the production of oils, sugar, dairy products, beverages and tobacco, chemicals, wood, non-metallic minerals, common metals, machinery and equipment, as well as furniture manufacturing. However, these gains were partially offset by declines in meat production, mills and bakeries, textiles and clothing, leather and footwear, paper and paper products, and metallurgy.
Services grew 2.7% in April and accumulated a 4.6% advance in the first four months. The performance was driven by government services, transportation, real estate, health, education, leisure, restaurants and hotels, commercial activity, business services, telecommunications, information services, and financial intermediation.
To isolate more volatile factors, the Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP) also publishes the Imaep excluding agriculture and the binational companies. By this measure, year-on-year growth was 2.7% in April, with a 5.0% increase accumulated through April 2026. The BCP’s projection for GDP growth in 2026 ranges between 4% and 4.5%.