Paraguay - Switzerland Trade 2025 Q1: Deficit & Resource Exchange

Key Market Takeaways: Paraguay - Switzerland Trade

The bilateral trade relationship between Paraguay and Switzerland is marked by a structural trade imbalance and volatile demand shifts in Q1 2025.

• Deficit-Driven Trade: Paraguay posted a $53.21M trade deficit (exports: $4.65M vs. imports: $57.86M), reflecting heavy reliance on Swiss energy and capital goods.
• Resource-for-Tech Exchange: Paraguay - Switzerland trade statistics show 73% of exports are meat products (HS 02), while 67% of imports are mineral fuels (HS 27), highlighting a commodity-for-energy dependency.
• Asymmetric Value Chains: Switzerland dominates high-value sectors (machinery, pharma), while Paraguay remains locked in raw material exports.

This bilateral trade snapshot is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.

Paraguay-Switzerland Trade Trend in Q1 2025

Paraguay Export Performance: Shipments to Switzerland

• Total Volume: Q1 exports to Switzerland totaled 4.65M.
• Growth Trend & Context:
  • YoY declines dominated the quarter, with January (-26.22%) and March (-24.63%) showing sharp contractions. February’s 25.95% YoY surge was an outlier.
  • No trade policy updates or external shocks were reported to explain the volatility.
• Key Volatility: February’s 30.09% MoM jump was eclipsed by March’s -33.93% collapse, indicating erratic demand or supply chain disruptions.

Paraguay Import Performance: Sourcing from Switzerland

• Total Volume: Q1 imports from Switzerland reached 57.86M, dwarfing exports.
• Growth Trend & Context:
  • YoY performance was mixed: February’s 2.82% growth contrasted with double-digit declines in January (-16.7%) and March (-41.83%).
  • No news events were cited to contextualize the swings.
• Key Volatility: March’s -17.77% MoM drop and -41.83% YoY plunge marked the quarter’s lowest point.

Paraguay - Switzerland Trade Balance & Market Dynamics

• Net Position: Paraguay ran a trade deficit of 53.21M (Imports: 57.86M > Exports: 4.65M).
• Relationship Status: Heavy dependence on Swiss imports, with exports marginal by comparison. The deficit suggests structural trade imbalance, possibly tied to capital goods or specialized imports.

Paraguay Import Trend from Switzerland 2025 Q1 (Source: yTrade)**

Paraguay Export Trend to Switzerland 2025 Q1 (Source: yTrade)**

Get Historical Paraguay Switzerland Trade Records

Paraguay-Switzerland Top Trading Products in Q1 2025

Paraguay Export Profile: What Does Paraguay Sell to Switzerland

• Top Commodity: Rank #1 export is HS 02 (Meat and edible meat offal) with a 73.11% share.
• Demand Driver: Switzerland likely imports these for consumer market needs, indicating Paraguay's role as a supplier of agricultural products.
• Concentration: Trade is highly concentrated, with the top commodity accounting for over 70% of exports.

Paraguay Import Profile: What Does Paraguay Buy from Switzerland

• Top Commodity: Rank #1 import is HS 27 (Mineral fuels, oils, and distillation products) with a 66.55% share.
• Dependency Nature: Paraguay relies on Switzerland for energy security, given the dominance of mineral fuels in imports.

Paraguay - Switzerland Trade Relationship Dynamics

• The Exchange Model: Resource-for-Tech Complementarity—Paraguay exports raw agricultural goods (HS 02) while importing energy products (HS 27) and machinery (HS 84).
• Value Chain Position: Switzerland holds the higher value-add position, supplying advanced goods (e.g., machinery, pharmaceuticals) compared to Paraguay's commodity-driven exports.

Import Analysis by Product: Switzerland to Paraguay (Source: yTrade)

Export Analysis by Product: Paraguay to Switzerland (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed Paraguay-Switzerland Trade HS Code Breakdown

Future Outlook & Strategic Recommendations

Forecast

The Paraguay-Switzerland trade relationship is likely to face continued volatility in Q2 2025, driven by erratic demand for Paraguayan meat exports and Switzerland’s fluctuating energy shipments. The structural trade deficit will persist unless Paraguay diversifies its export basket or secures more stable pricing for key imports. However, February’s outlier growth in exports suggests untapped potential for agricultural trade if supply chain disruptions are mitigated. Traders should prepare for uneven performance, with a focus on locking in favorable terms during periods of demand spikes.

Strategic Moves

• Diversify Export Markets: Paraguayan meat exporters must reduce reliance on Switzerland by targeting other high-income EU markets, leveraging existing quality certifications to mitigate demand volatility.
• Secure Long-term Energy Contracts: Importers of Swiss mineral fuels should negotiate fixed-price agreements to hedge against sudden price swings and supply shortages, given the sector’s dominance in bilateral trade.
• Invest in Value-added Processing: Paraguay’s agricultural sector should explore partnerships with Swiss firms to upgrade meat processing capabilities, shifting from raw commodity exports to higher-margin products like prepared meats.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Paraguay - Switzerland trade perform in 2025 Q1?

Paraguay's exports to Switzerland totaled 4.65M, with sharp YoY declines in January and March. Imports from Switzerland reached 57.86M, showing mixed YoY growth but a significant deficit for Paraguay.

What are the top exports from Paraguay to Switzerland?

Meat and edible meat offal (HS 02) dominated Paraguay's exports to Switzerland, accounting for 73.11% of total shipments.

What does Paraguay import from Switzerland?

Mineral fuels, oils, and distillation products (HS 27) were the top import, making up 66.55% of Paraguay's purchases from Switzerland.

What is the trade balance between Paraguay and Switzerland?

Paraguay recorded a trade deficit of 53.21M, with imports from Switzerland far exceeding exports, indicating a structural trade imbalance.