Twelve Family Agriculture Fairs will take place during the 2026 Holy Week period, known as Semana Santa Ra’arovõ. For the first time, these events will feature the sale of beef products, marking an expansion of the offerings available. The Holy Week 2026 Fairs are a joint initiative driven by Paraguay’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, through its Commercialisation and Agrarian Extension Directorates, with the support of the Rural Association of Paraguay (ARP).
These events will be held in the cities of Asunción, San Lorenzo, Lambaré, Fernando de la Mora, Limpio, and Caacupé, providing broad access for consumers across the region. The inclusion of beef is a notable development, adding to the wide array of products traditionally sold at the popular markets.
A full schedule of events
Throughout the week, from Monday to Friday, permanent orchid fairs are open to the public. One is located at the Exhibition and Sales Centre on Route PY02 km 11, opposite the National University of Asunción in San Lorenzo, operating from 8:00 to 16:00. A second permanent orchid market can be found at the Orchid Production Centre on Route PY02 km 52 in Caacupé, with opening hours from 8:00 to 16:30 on weekdays and from 7:30 to 11:00 on Saturdays.
On Wednesday, 25 March, two events will be held concurrently. The first will take place along the waterfront of the Government Palace in Asunción, starting at 7:30, while the second, a DeRaíz market, will be hosted at the Shopping Multiplaza in Asunción from 7:00 to 19:00.
Thursday 26 and Friday 27 March
On Thursday, 26 March, there will be another series of simultaneous fairs. One event will be held on the esplanade of Canal 13/Unicanal in Lambaré. Another will be situated on the esplanade of the Medalla Milagrosa Church in Fernando de la Mora, opening at 7:00 and continuing until stock is depleted.
During the same day, a PlazaFlores event will run from 7:00 to 18:00 at the Shopping Multiplaza in Asunción. The schedule continues on Friday, the 27th, with events planned for the esplanade of the National Development Bank in Asunción, at the Shopping Century Plaza in Lambaré, and at the Directorate of Agrarian Education in San Lorenzo.
All Friday fairs will begin at 7:00 and will operate until all produce is sold. Finally, the week concludes on Saturday, the 28th, with a large market at Cecoproaan – Abasto Norte in Limpio, which will open its doors to early shoppers from 5:00 and continue until stock runs out.
Diverse products from farm to table
Visitors to the Holy Week 2026 Fairs will find a wide variety of fresh and artisanal products directly from the farm. Available items will include the traditional soft white cheese known as queso Paraguay, a staple in the local diet. In addition to the newly introduced beef, a range of other meats will be for sale, such as pork, suckling pig, goat, and sheep, alongside free-range chicken, duck, and eggs.
The produce selection will also be extensive, featuring sweetcorn, cornflour, red beans, butter beans, and other varieties like poroto peky and habilla. Other staples available for purchase will include starch, honey, peanuts, tomatoes, peppers, cassava, and sweet potatoes. Furthermore, shoppers can buy fresh greens, seasonal fruits, and various grains. The fairs also serve as a marketplace for indigenous crafts, as well as a selection of plants and flowers, offering a complete and authentic local shopping experience for all attendees.
Supporting national producers and consumers
The primary objective of these fairs is to foster direct sales from family-run farms. This model, acccording to the organisers, ensures equitable pricing for both the agricultural producers and the end consumers by removing intermediaries. Consequently, the initiative provides a crucial platform for rural families to market their goods effectively, thereby strengthening their economic development. For the public, it offers a valuable opportunity to purchase fresh, high-quality products with a distinct national identity.
The Family Agriculture Fairs are a regular fixture, occurring three to five times per week nationwide. The Agrarian Extension Directorate operates in 184 districts and the Commercialisation Directorate is active in 20, demonstrating a widespread and ongoing commitment to supporting the rural economy. In 2025, Paraguayan Farming Fairs achieved a record ₲114 billion revenue.
