Paraguay is celebrating a dual triumph in its agro-industrial sector. The nation’s producers achieved remarkable success at the Yerba Mate World Championship, securing a total of 20 medals. In a parallel development, the country has also recorded its first-ever export of a cassava-based distilled beverage to the Taiwanese market.
The first-ever Yerba Mate World Championship (Mundial de la Yerba Mate) took place in June ,2026, at the Museo del Mate in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It was the inaugural international competition dedicated exclusively to evaluating the quality, identity, and diversity of yerba mate and related products (like blends, ready-to-drink items, and derivatives). The event combined a professional blind-tasting contest with a public “fan fest” featuring talks, tastings, activations, and brand interactions
A landmark event for yerba mate
The international competition marked a significant milestone for the industry. Jennifer Sneider, a Paraguayan member of the event’s jury, explained its unique focus. Speaking on the Paraguay TV programme Tribuna, she noted that this was the first world championship dedicated exclusively to evaluating yerba mate as the central product. This distinguishes it from other global competitions which typically centre on products like wine, coffee, or tea.
According to Sneider, the championship was driven by leading figures within the productive sector. Their primary goal was to promote the cultural and economic identity associated with the plant. The competition therefore served as a crucial stage for showcasing the quality and diversity of products from participating nations.
The impartial judging process
To ensure complete impartiality, the samples were evaluated through a rigorous technical system of blind tasting. Sneider detailed the meticulous process undertaken by the judges to guarantee fairness and objectivity.
“What we do is score the sample blind,” She explained that jurors receive the samples without any branding information, preventing any potential bias. The evaluation begins with a verification step, where judges check if the product matches the description provided by its producer.
“When a yerba mate arrives, we do not know the brand, but the producer registers it as, for example, a yerba mate with a thick cut, without stems, without dust.” Following this initial check, the analysis proceeds to the sensory evaluation. Here, the judges assess the appearance of the infusion before moving on to its complex taste profile.
“This is infused; we look at the colour of the infusion and then we prepare it like a mate and taste it to see how the balance is and how it washes out with each pour.”
Based on the total points awarded across these criteria, samples are then classified into one of four award categories. According to the score, it falls into grand gold, gold, silver or bronze.
Paraguayan producers achieve sweeping success
Paraguay’s participation was particularly noteworthy, with producers earning accolades across numerous categories and for a wide variety of products. “Paraguay won 20 medals,” Sneider stated. “Over 400 entries were received at the competition, and a total of 313 medals were awarded globally.”
The final tally of 20 medals reflects the high quality and innovation of the national entries. “We won awards in all categories.”
Sneider highlighted the impressive diversity presented by Paraguayan companies. The evaluated products included compound yerbas, special infusions, and a range of novel developments. These featured innovative combinations with chocolate, yerba mate-based liqueurs, and even new un-aged varieties.
One standout example was the yerba mate San José. This product earned a grand gold award for a compound version made with natural herbs such as mint and lemon verbena, entirely free of artificial flavourings. The interview also touched upon the growing international interest in yerba mate derivatives and their potential for expansion into new markets and industrial applications beyond traditional consumption.
A new spirit enters the global market
In a separate but equally significant achievement, the Tribuna programme also highlighted the first export of a distilled beverage made from cassava to Taiwan. The product, branded as Emperatriz Cassava, is produced in the district of Arroyos y Esteros. It is created from fermented cassava starch, resulting in a unique distillate with a 42% alcohol content.
“It is the world’s first distillate made from cassava, created in Paraguay,” the creators explained.
The creators explained that the spirit does not fit into traditional categories like gin or rum. As a result, it has been named simply “Cassava” to establish its own unique identity in the marketplace. The drink is being positioned as a key innovation in the premium alcoholic beverage segment after a development process that took several years to perfect.
First international shipment to Taiwan
The company has now successfully secured its first international export order. The initial shipment consists of 700 bottles destined for the demanding Asian market. This commercial breakthrough followed the company’s participation in the Food Taipei trade fair, where crucial contacts were established with regional importers.
“In our very first participation, we closed that export deal.” The producers noted that the validation and negotiation process was swift. They attribute the strong interest from the Asian market to a local preference for drinks with a high alcohol content and for innovative, exotic flavours. This allowed Emperatriz Cassava to be positioned as a distinct and appealing new proposal for consumers.
Innovating Paraguay’s agro-industrial sector
The programme concluded by emphasising that both the success at the Yerba Mate World Championship and the landmark export of the cassava spirit are indicative of a dynamic period of growth. These achievements reflect significant expansion and innovation within the Paraguayan agro-industrial sector. Furthermore, they demonstrate a growing presence in international markets and the successful development of new value-added products.
Also read: National Yerba Mate Day: The Guaraní Gift That Defines Paraguay.
