Paraguay has recorded a remarkable 29% increase in raw material imports in July 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Imports under the raw material regime have seen substantial growth, reaching US$312 million in the first half of 2025. This figure is driven by heightened demand for inputs essential to local manufacturing. In July alone, authorized imports fueling totalled US$41 million, supported by 569 import applications benefiting 130 industries.
The July increase is driven by heightened demand in key industrial sectors, according to the Vice Ministry of Industry. This surge underscores a lively economic landscape, with significant implications for local production, and industrial competitiveness.
Significant import activity
The metallurgical, chemical-pharmaceutical, rubber and plastics, and food and beverage sectors accounted for 69% of total imports during the first seven months of 2025. Notably, the metallurgical, chemical-pharmaceutical, machinery and equipment, and electrical appliances sectors alone comprised 76% of the import volume, reflecting their pivotal role in the Paraguay’s industrial framework.
Additional sectors, including textiles, tobacco, paper, and printing, also registered significant import activity, highlighting a broadening diversification of Paraguay’s import needs to support its expanding industrial base.
The Vice Ministry of Industry reported that 3,944 import applications were approved during the period, marking a 22% rise in permits compared to 2024. This uptick signals robust confidence in Paraguay’s industrial sector and its capacity for sustained growth.
China and India dominate supply chain
China and India emerged as the dominant suppliers, collectively accounting for 76% of Paraguay’s total authorized import volume. The United States followed with a modest 4% share, while Spain, Türkiye, and Germany each contributed 2% to the import mix. This concentration underscores the strategic importance of Asian markets in meeting Paraguay’s industrial demands.
A total of 256 companies benefited from the raw material import regime, with 69% operating in the metallurgical, chemical-pharmaceutical, rubber and plastics, paper, and food and beverage sectors. Geographically, Paraguay’s Central department hosts the majority of these companies, followed by Alto Paraná and the capital, Asunción, reinforcing their status as key industrial hubs.
Implications of booming raw materials import
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC) views this sustained growth in raw material imports as a positive indicator of Paraguay’s economic trajectory. The increased demand for industrial inputs is expected to bolster national production, create jobs, and enhance the competitiveness of Paraguayan industries in regional and global markets.
“This trend reflects a dynamic industrial sector poised for expansion,” an MIC spokesperson noted. “The rise in imports signals strong confidence in Paraguay’s economic potential and lays the foundation for sustained growth.”
As Paraguay continues to strengthen its industrial base, the surge in imports highlights the nation’s ambition to position itself as a competitive player in the regional economy.
Read also how Paraguay’s maquila system, has recorded robust growth, with exports rising by 4% to US$649.9 million in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
