Every 11 October, Paraguay celebrates National Yerba Mate Day, honouring one of the most cherished Guaraní legacies. Scientifically known as Ilex paraguariensis, yerba mate (often used in traditional herbal drinks) shaped the identity of generations of Paraguayans and is considered an indispensable tradition. On this date, the entire country pays tribute to yerba mate not only as an ancestral gift, but also as a symbol of identity, community, and unity.
People have consumed yerba mate since time immemorial, but Paraguay officially established 11 October as the day to honour this beloved plant of its culture in 1997. In every home, the essence of yerba mate, whether hot as mate or cold as tereré, shines with pride and authenticity.
The appreciation for yerba mate transcends borders and extends to Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, and even other Latin American countries. Likewise, as Paraguayans expand across the world, Ilex paraguariensis has crossed seas and continents with diversity.
The origins of yerba mate
Indigenous Paraguayan people use the word ka’a to describe yerba. With the arrival of the Spanish, it became known as “yerba of Paraguay.” Its origins trace back to the Guaraní people, who were the first custodians and users of yerba mate. They used its leaves as a drink, a sacred object, and even as a form of currency in trade with other communities. For them, the yerba mate tree was a gift from the gods.
On National Yerba Mate Day, Paraguay celebrates its history, which is complex, passing from being banned to becoming a national symbol. In the sixteenth century, with the arrival of Spanish colonisers, the consumption of yerba mate expanded. The Jesuit missionaries introduced its cultivation and contributed to its dissemination and commercialisation. However, in the early seventeenth century, its consumption was banned because it was considered an unhealthy habit, also associated with diabolical superstitions.
Despite periods of prohibition, yerba mate gradually regained its place in Paraguayan daily life. By 1630, authorities lifted the ban, legalising the exploitation of yerbales along with the production, exportation, and consumption of yerba mate. By the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, people once again widely embraced it.
The current impact of yerba mate in Paraguayan economy
Currently, Paraguay exports yerba mate to 27 countries worldwide. People no longer limit its use to the traditional infusions of mate or tereré. Instead, they reinvent it in energy drinks, teas, instant mixes, and other preparations enjoyed hot or cold. Among the main destinations are Lebanon, Syria, Brazil, Poland, the Czech Republic, the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
One strategic focus for 2025 has been the United States market. The primary goal in the U.S. market is to establish direct links with food processors, aiming to supply the raw material efficiently and continuously.
In the first half of the year, Paraguayan yerba mate demonstrated its steady and successful growth. From January to June 2025, according to VUE data, Paraguay exported a total of US$10.2 million in yerba mate products. This includes processed yerba mate, canchada (a semi-processed form of yerba mate), and extracts.
- Canchada yerba mate: ~100 tonnes – US$118,664.
- Processed yerba mate: 5,363 tonnes – US$8.5 million.
- Yerba mate extracts: 714 tonnes – US$1.6 million.
Yerba mate as cultural heritage
In 2018, The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approved Paraguay’s nomination to inscribe “Yerba Mate – Ka’a” as a Cultural System of Yerba Mate, thus recognising it as “Cultural Heritage of Mercosur.”
In December 2020, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at UNESCO approved the inclusion of the “Traditional Practices and Knowledge of Tereré in the Culture of Pohã Ñana: Ancestral Guaraní Beverage in Paraguay” on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The benefits of consuming yerba mate
Yerba mate offers numerous health benefits thanks to its rich content of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and B vitamins. It supports the nervous system, strengthens bones, boosts energy, and reinforces the immune system. Interestingly, yerba mate can also contribute to happiness. Specifically, its natural compounds, such as caffeine, theobromine, and antioxidants, stimulate the production of dopamine, the neurotransmitter linked to pleasure, motivation, and mental energy. The benefits of Ilex paraguariensis are extensive and increasingly recognized.
Since ancient times, people have valued yerba mate as a remedy for fatigue and as a digestive and cleansing aid. Today, they continue to appreciate and respect it as a Guaraní gift worth protecting.
