The economic first quarter of 2025 in Paraguay witnessed robust sales growth, reinforcing positive consumer trends across various sectors. This upward momentum significantly contributed to the encouraging results of the Business Figure Estimator (ECN) for the first four months of 2025.
Preliminary data indicates an annual growth variation of 3.7% in April, leading to an accumulated growth rate of 6.4% for the year’s first quarter. This reflects strong sales performance across multiple economic sectors, aligning with Paraguay’s broader economic growth during the period, also examplified in the first quarter’s new record for Paraguayan beef export.
The ECN, a short-term indicator, measures sales volumes across diverse economic branches based on data submitted to the National Directorate of Tax Revenues (DNIT).
Sector-wise performance
The positive results stem mainly from robust dynamics in household services, transport, real estate, telecommunications, information services, business services, and the hospitality sector, including hotels and restaurants.
In the manufacturing sector, sales growth was notable in dairy products, milling and bakery goods, sugar, beverages, tobacco, textiles, garments, leather goods, footwear, paper products, and machinery. Conversely, there were declines in sales of chemical products, oils, and timber.
Commercial activities also showed strong performance, particularly in fuel sales, large retail stores, clothing, home equipment products, food items, pharmaceutical-chemical products, retail technology sales, and wholesale distribution of fertilisers and agrochemicals.
Notable declines
However, certain segments within the commercial sector experienced setbacks. Declines were noted in vehicle sales and maintenance, wholesale of agricultural raw materials, livestock, and wholesale machinery and equipment sales.
This comprehensive growth across key sectors highlight strong consumer confidence and a favourable business environment as pivotal drivers in 2025.
More sales growth with digital ways of paying
Another important indicator, according to the ECN report, was the growth in sales using digital ways. QR codes, debit and credit cards and bank transfers were the digital methods preferred. This year, sales made with this alternative way of paying grew up to 23% when compared to last year’s, reaching Gs. 4.7 trillion.
