Taiwan is one of the big buyers of meat from Paraguay. Meat diagram. (Ouxin file photo)
[Financial Channel/Comprehensive Report] Paraguay is currently the only country in South America that maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. In recent years, cooperation between the two parties has gradually extended from the political field to agriculture, technology and investment. Foreign media describe Paraguay as having an "unexpected partner." In 2025, Taiwan's total imports of goods from Paraguay will reach approximately US$342 million (approximately NT$10.8 billion), of which beef alone will amount to US$271 million (approximately NT$8.6 billion), accounting for approximately 79% of Paraguay's total exports to Taiwan. As Taiwan further opens up Paraguayan poultry imports, the meat trade territory between the two sides continues to expand.
Paraguay is an important soybean and beef producer and exporter in South America. However, because it has no diplomatic relations with China, it cannot directly and fully enter this major global agricultural product consumer market. In comparison, Taiwan has gradually become an important meat export destination for Paraguay in recent years.
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According to the "Agrolatam" report, Paraguay's total merchandise exports to Taiwan in 2025 will be approximately US$342 million, an increase of nearly 50% from the previous year, of which beef exports will be worth approximately US$271 million. After conversion, beef accounts for about 79% of Paraguay's exports to Taiwan, indicating the rapid increase in the importance of the Taiwan market to Paraguay's livestock industry.
In addition to beef, Paraguay's pork exports to Taiwan in 2025 will be approximately US$49.6 million (approximately NT$1.5 billion), and the Taiwan market currently absorbs most of the country's pork exports.
In May this year, Taiwan reopened the import of Paraguayan poultry meat, giving Paraguayan beef and pork, as well as chicken, the opportunity to further enter the Taiwan market.
It is worth noting that Paraguay is currently the only country in South America that maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1957, the two sides have maintained diplomatic relations for nearly 70 years. In recent years, cooperation has gradually extended from the political field to agriculture, technology and investment.
Although there are trade exchanges between Paraguay and China, China will still be Paraguay's largest source of imports in 2025, accounting for more than one-third of its total imports. However, due to the lack of diplomatic relations between the two sides, some Paraguayan agricultural products cannot directly enter the Chinese market.
This has also long drawn attention to the issue of whether Paraguay should adjust its foreign policy toward Taiwan in exchange for access to the Chinese market. China is the world's major soybean and beef import market, and its market size is highly attractive to Paraguay, which mainly exports agriculture and animal husbandry.
However, the importance of the Taiwan market is growing. In addition to continuing to increase the purchase of agricultural products, Taiwan and Paraguay have also promoted cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), technology, talent training and emerging industries in recent years, while making good use of Paraguay's abundant hydropower energy.
For Paraguayan agriculture, the most direct results of bilateral relations may be reflected in the market and meat processing industry.
From beef and pork to the recently opened poultry, agricultural trade between Paraguay and Taiwan continues to expand. Although Taiwan's market size cannot be compared with China's, beef exports of up to US$271 million in 2025 have highlighted Taiwan's important position in Paraguay's livestock industry export layout.
As more Paraguayan meat products gain access to the Taiwanese market, the economic and trade relations between the two sides have gradually shifted from traditional diplomatic allies to more specific agricultural product trading partners.
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