The Paraguayan pork industry has openly advocated for the country's transition to foot-and-mouth disease-free status without vaccination, rejecting criticism that the proposal would serve only its own commercial interests. The president of the Paraguayan Association of Pig Breeders, Hugo Schaffrath, clarified that the initiative did not come from producers, but rather from the National Animal Health and Quality Service (Senacsa), which assesses that Paraguay is ready to join the movement already adopted by most of its regional neighbors.
Schaffrath noted that, with the exception of Uruguay, Paraguay is the only South American country that still vaccinates against foot-and-mouth disease, while Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Chile have already advanced toward recognition without vaccination. He acknowledged that suspending immunization would directly benefit the pork chain, since the main importing markets—such as Japan, South Korea, Mexico, and Chile—require this sanitary condition to close deals and pay the best prices.
Schaffrath projected an ambitious leap for the sector: Paraguay currently exports around 20,000 tons of pork, but the goal is to reach 250,000 tons within five years. Last year, foreign sales generated US$57 million, a figure that could approach US$1 billion over the same horizon, according to Schaffrath. Today, approximately 85% of Paraguayan pork exports are destined for Taiwan, a concentration the sector wants to reduce.
Marta Mareco, president of Capainpod, reinforced that the objective is to stop depending exclusively on lower-value markets and to access premium niches, exporting special cuts rather than operating as a commodity. Mareco detailed that Paraguay is negotiating entry into the Chilean market through the sanitary compartmentalization system, which certifies establishments free of foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever, and African swine fever. Chilean technicians have already conducted inspections at production plants and slaughterhouses, and the process could be concluded between the end of this year and the beginning of next year.
Schaffrath assured that the sector does not intend to act irresponsibly and supports an orderly and prudent process. "If any sanitary problem occurs in neighboring countries, such as Brazil or Bolivia, the process should be suspended," he stated. Mareco, for her part, questioned the criticism from livestock segments and defended the economic and social contribution of the pork chain, recalling that demanding markets condition the entry of products such as pig trotters and tails on the country's disease-free status without vaccination.