2023 May Paraguay Global Trade Data Summary: Export Surge

Paraguay 2023 May Trade Data Key Takeaways

• Market Trend: Paraguay trade data shows exports surged 18.4% YoY to $1.11B, while imports held steady at $1.29B.
• Key Driver: Paraguay import export data reveals oil seeds (36.8%) and meat (16.1%) dominate exports, with Brazil as a critical two-way partner.
• Strategic Risk: Heavy reliance on raw-material exports and regional markets leaves economy exposed to commodity swings.

Analysis covers 2023 May based on sanitized customs records from the yTrade database.

Paraguay 2023 May Trade Data Trend Overview

• Paraguay, a key agricultural and energy exporter in South America, reported robust Paraguay global trade data for May 2023, reflecting its role as a regional supplier of commodities.
• Paraguay import export data showed exports surging 18.4% year-on-year to $1.11 billion, while imports remained nearly flat at $1.29 billion, declining just 0.84% over the same period.
• The trade balance for May resulted in a deficit of approximately $180 million, as strong export growth was offset by steady import demand.
• Strengthened trade ties, including ongoing bilateral engagement such as the U.S.-Paraguay Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) meetings [The United States and Paraguay hold the Third Meeting of the Trade ...], likely supported export performance and market access for Paraguayan goods.

Table: Import Key Metrics (Source: yTrade)

Table: Export Key Metrics (Source: yTrade)

Get Historical Paraguay Trade Data

Paraguay 2023 May Top Trading Products

Paraguay Global Trade Core Summary

Paraguay's exports are heavily focused on agriculture and raw materials, with oil seeds and meat making up over half of total exports. Key exports include oil seeds (36.8%), meat (16.1%), and mineral fuels (11.9%). Imports, however, are dominated by machinery and industrial goods, led by electrical machinery (21%) and industrial equipment (13.2%). The trade structure shows a clear split: Paraguay exports low-processed goods while importing high-value manufactured products.

Key takeaways:

• Heavy reliance on agricultural exports (over 50% of total exports).
• Limited industrial exports, with only 2.8% from electrical machinery.
• High import dependence on machinery and vehicles (over 43% combined).
• Potential vulnerability to commodity price swings.

Paraguay Export-Import Structural Gap

Paraguay’s trade gap highlights an economy dependent on raw materials for exports while relying on imports for industrial and technological goods. Exports are mostly unprocessed (oil seeds, meat, grains), while imports are machinery-heavy (electrical equipment, vehicles, fertilizers). The lack of overlap in HS codes suggests minimal processing trade. This structure indicates opportunities for value-added production in agriculture and energy to reduce import reliance.

Table: Paraguay Top Import & Export Product Categories (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed Paraguay Trade HS Code Breakdown

Paraguay 2023 May Top Trading Countries

Paraguay Global Trade Key Patterns

Paraguay's exports are heavily concentrated in South America, with Argentina (40.4%), Brazil (21.7%), and Chile (10.8%) accounting for over 70% of total shipments. Imports, however, rely on a broader mix, led by Mainland China (34.2%) and Brazil (25.8%), followed by the U.S. (9.2%) and Argentina (7.0%). Key asymmetries stand out: exports are regionally focused, while imports show global sourcing with Asian and North American suppliers.

• Top 3 export markets absorb 73% of shipments, showing high dependence on neighboring economies.
• China dominates imports, supplying over a third of Paraguay's foreign goods.
• Brazil is a critical two-way partner, appearing in both top export and import lists.
• Limited U.S. trade presence, with under 2% of exports but 9% of imports.
• No Asian export markets rank in the top 5, contrasting with import reliance on China and India.

Paraguay Export–Import Geographic Gap

Exports flow almost entirely within South America, while imports come from distant suppliers like China, the U.S., and Germany. This suggests Paraguay acts as a regional supplier but depends on global supply chains for inputs. Brazil and Argentina appear on both lists, indicating some processing trade. The structure shows upstream diversification (imports from 10+ countries) paired with downstream concentration (exports to 3 dominant neighbors). Trade remains lopsided, with no major export markets mirroring key import sources.

Table: Paraguay Top Destiantion & Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the major products exported by Paraguay in 2023 May?

Paraguay's top exports in May 2023 were oil seeds and oleaginous fruits (36.84%), meat and edible meat offal (16.13%), and mineral fuels (11.85%), accounting for over 60% of total export value.

What are the main products Paraguay imports in 2023 May?

Electrical machinery (21.01%), nuclear reactors/machinery (13.24%), and mineral fuels (10.81%) dominated Paraguay's imports, representing nearly half of total import value.

Which countries are the top destinations for Paraguay's exports in 2023 May?

Mainland China (34.16%), Brazil (25.79%), and the United States (9.21%) were Paraguay's largest export markets, collectively receiving over two-thirds of exports.

Which countries supply most of Paraguay's imports in 2023 May?

Argentina (40.37%), Brazil (21.66%), and Chile (10.83%) supplied nearly 75% of Paraguay's imports during this period.

How balanced are Paraguay's export and import markets in 2023 May?

Paraguay recorded a $180 million trade deficit in May 2023, with exports growing 18.4% to $1.11 billion while imports remained steady at $1.29 billion (-0.84% change).