Paraguay takes advantage of Trump's tariffs and increases meat exports to the US.

Since August 25, Brazilian beef entering the US market has been subject to a 76.4% tariff, disrupting trade flows throughout the region. However, Paraguay has taken advantage of this situation to increase its red MEAT sales to the US.

Paraguay was one of the countries to benefit from the Trump administration's policy of reducing tariff rates by about 10%, facilitating the entry of domestic meat into the demanding North American market.

As a direct result of this difference, Paraguayan beef exports to the United States increased by 75% between January and September of this year compared to the same period in 2024 .

A similar situation has developed in Paraguay: since the beginning of 2025, imports of Brazilian beef have increased by 55%. This trend reflects a trade restructuring: Paraguay has decided to import larger volumes from Brazil to cover part of its domestic demand.

Regarding Brazilian meat imports, I don't think it's a matter of triangulation, but rather market adjustment. Paraguay supplements domestic supplies when prices or volumes dictate, but the meat exported to the US is 100% local and traceable.

"Regarding Brazilian beef imports, I don't think it's a matter of triangulation, but rather a market adjustment. Paraguay supplements domestic supplies when prices or volumes dictate, but the beef exported to the United States is 100% local and traceable," Marcio Pol, a board member of the Paraguayan Brahman Beef Producers Association, told LPO.

Thus, the import of Brazilian meat into Paraguay helps support domestic consumption, while local production is more oriented towards EXPORT, taking advantage of the preferential tariff conditions established by the White House.

With Brazil effectively forced out of the North American market by tariffs, countries such as Paraguay, Mexico, Argentina and Australia have become the main beneficiaries of beef exports to the United States, which now ranks third on the list of largest buyers of Paraguayan meat.

However, US tariffs on Brazil could also have a negative impact on Paraguay, especially in alternative markets, as there is a risk that the South American giant will dump its entire surplus on common markets such as Chile, which supplies more than 40% of Paraguay's beef exports.

From January to September 2025, Paraguay exported 527,212 tonnes worth $2.009 billion, an increase of 19.1% in foreign currency terms, despite a slight decrease of 6.2% compared to the same period last year. Chile remains the main export market, followed by Taiwan, Israel, and the United States.