Sixteen years after Paraguay's last appearance at a World Cup, in South Africa in 2010, the prices of the most popular cuts of meat used for asado have nearly tripled in the country, while the minimum wage has barely more than doubled over the same period, revealing a significant loss of purchasing power for Paraguayan families.
Costilla, one of the most popular cuts for barbecue, cost an average of 12,000 to 12,700 guaraníes per kilo in June 2010. Today, the average price hovers around 41,000 to 46,000 guaraníes per kilo, with the premium version exceeding 50,000 guaraníes. Vacío, another favorite cut, went from 14,000 guaraníes per kilo to between 55,950 and 58,450 guaraníes. Colita cuadril jumped from 19,950 to 78,000 guaraníes per kilo, and even novillo short ribs, previously sold at 6,990 guaraníes, now cost 25,950 guaraníes.
Over the same period, the minimum wage rose from 1,408,864 to 2,899,048 guaraníes, an increase of about 105%. The percentage increases for meat cuts range from 282% to over 317%, far outpacing the growth in minimum compensation.
Sausages have also seen sharp increases. Chorizo parrillero rose from 13,990 to 35,900 guaraníes per kilo, and chorizo tipo viena went from 16,990 to 32,900 guaraníes. Chicken thigh, which cost 8,690 guaraníes per kilo, is now sold at 25,600 guaraníes. Among pork products, loin jumped from 18,990 to 39,250 guaraníes per kilo.
Among the beverages that accompany asado, canned Pilsen beer went from 3,000 to 4,500 guaraníes, while a liter of Pilsen Tradicional in supermarkets rose from 6,000 to 7,500 guaraníes, a 25% increase — the most moderate among the items analyzed. The budget 2-liter soda, meanwhile, jumped from 1,790 to 4,850 guaraníes.
The comparative data highlight the impact of 16 years of accumulated inflation on Paraguay's basic household basket, especially on high-consumption staples like meat. The scenario complicates access to a traditional meal like asado, which represents a significant expense for many families across the country.