Rabbit farming: A growing industry in Paraguay thanks to family-run production

Rabbit farming is gaining momentum in the country and is primarily carried out by families who find it profitable. The largest production is concentrated in the Central Department, but it is also widespread in Itapúa, Caaguazú, and Guairá.

Lorenzo Encina, president of the Paraguayan Rabbit Producers Association (APPC), told La Nación/Nación Media that 70% to 80% of production is concentrated in the central region, although there are small family producers throughout the country. "Even in the Chaco, there are Mennonite descendants who practice this type of rabbit farming," he said.

Production lasts from March to the end of November, as the animals cannot tolerate high temperatures. Production is suspended in December, January, and February until breeding resumes. An industry representative believes that modernizing piggeries to create controlled conditions would be a necessary alternative to increasing productivity.

According to the union, by the end of 2024 , its members would have 25 producing farms. "Nationally, I think this number will at least double," he calculated, adding that they have seen increased interest in this type of production in the past two years, primarily due to rising beef prices .

For the operation to be profitable and generate income equal to the minimum monthly wage, it is necessary to invest in at least 50 sows. "This profitability is sufficient for one person to earn the minimum wage. Some producers have 200 animals, others 50, and still others 30. We are all small producers," he told LN/NM.

Currently, product packaging takes place on the farms where the animals are slaughtered. MEAT is still sold directly to consumers, as it still cannot reach supermarkets due to the lack of sanitary certificates from Senacsa. An estimated 4,000 to 5,000 kilograms of meat are produced annually for sale on the domestic market.

 NEEDS IN THE SECTOR

Among the sector's needs, he noted the need for greater support for the development of rabbit farming and the expansion of this activity, as there is a shortage of specialists in this field. Furthermore, last year, the National Animal HEALTH and Quality Service (Senacsa) opened a rabbit breeder registry for the first time, so monthly data is not yet available.

The sector's goal is to create a livestock breeding center for selling to future livestock farmers at a lower price or to establish a slaughterhouse association. "There are no regulations for this activity in Senacsa, unlike regulations for cattle , sheep, pork, or poultry," Encina said. He also noted that slaughterhouse licensing requires specific requirements for cattle slaughter, which is disproportionate in terms of infrastructure, as the facilities in this sector are small, some measuring only 6x4 meters.