The National Service for Plant and Seed Quality and Health (Senave) reported a record in stevia exports, locally known as ka’a he’ẽ, through the end of May 2026. The data show a significant increase in the volume exported during the first five months of the year, surpassing figures from previous years.
According to statistics from the Single Export Window (VUE), 142 tons of stevia were exported in 2026, a 518% increase compared to the 23 tons recorded in the same period in 2025. For comparison, the exported volume was 27 tons in 2021, 57 tons in 2022, 69 tons in 2023, and 118 tons in 2024.
The main destinations for stevia exports were Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Spain, with the latter being the largest importer of the Paraguayan product. In addition to stevia, the legume sector also showed growth in exports, especially for beans in the mungo, black, and red varieties. The exported volume of these legumes jumped from 853 tons in 2025 to 3,748 tons in 2026, with destinations including Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, and Spain.
Senave emphasized the importance of coordination among producers, traders, and public agencies to ensure the quality and health of the products, guaranteeing compliance with international market requirements. The agency plays a key role through phytosanitary inspections and certifications.
The Union of Production Guilds highlighted that Paraguay’s stevia sector is expanding, driven by steady demand both domestically and abroad. The current challenge is to increase production and improve productivity to fully capitalize on the crop’s potential. Plans are underway to expand the cultivated area to up to 50,000 hectares, involving around 100,000 farming families, which could make stevia a significant driver of rural development in the country.