Soybean industrialisation in Paraguay has reached its highest level in five years, totalling 2,950,978 tonnes between January and October 2025. The figure surpasses all annual processing volumes recorded since 2020, according to the Paraguayan Chamber of Oilseed and Cereal Processors (Cappro).
The sector is operating at 82% of its installed capacity, marking an 11-point increase from last year. Authorities say this momentum positions 2025 as the most successful year of the decade for the agro-industrial sector.
Strong industrial growth
The latest Cappro report highlights how increased soybean processing is strengthening Paraguay’s economic landscape. By transforming more grain domestically, the country is generating greater export value and stimulating the development of related industries. This chain effect, described by Cappro as a “virtuous cycle,” helps boost national productivity while creating higher-quality jobs.
The sector’s 82% utilisation of installed capacity reflects a significant improvement compared with 2024. This rise indicates greater operational efficiency across agro-industrial plants and signals investor confidence in the stability of local production. Such capacity use has not been seen since 2020 and 2021, the previous benchmark years, though those periods still processed 6% less volume than current levels.
Favourable international conditions
Cappro attributes much of the sector’s growth to a favourable global context. Reduced external pressures on Paraguayan soybean production have allowed industries to channel larger quantities of grain into domestic processing rather than exporting soybeans in their raw state. This shift not only supports value-added production but also enhances Paraguay’s competitiveness in regional and international markets.
However, despite the strong performance recorded so far in 2025, Cappro notes that opportunities remain. With significant unused industrial capacity still available, the sector could further expand value-added production and consolidate Paraguay’s position as a regional processing hub.
As the year concludes, the soybean industry’s accelerated growth continues to reinforce its essential role in Paraguay’s economic development. The trend aligns with Paraguay’s wider industrial growth, as seen in the Maquila sector, which surpassed US$1 billion in exports during the first ten months of 2025, reinforcing Paraguay’s strengthening economic outlook.
