ASUNCIÓN, PARAGUAY – Paraguay is set to begin duty-free pork exports to Taiwan on July 5, marking an unprecedented opportunity for growth and job creation in the Paraguayan pork industry. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC) projects that this agreement will double pork export revenue from an annual $50 million to $100 million, leading to immediate employment effects nationwide.

Javier Giménez, Minister of Industry and Commerce, stated that this duty-free agreement goes beyond simply increasing exports; it will strengthen the entire value chain from agricultural production to industrial processing and transportation. He specifically emphasized job creation within the pork industry, noting it will foster the formalization and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in pig farming and pork processing.

"Paraguay is the only country receiving such special treatment from Taiwan," Giménez stressed. "This will be a tremendous stimulus for our industry and domestic producers. It is a historic opportunity to create dignified jobs and improve the quality of life for thousands of Paraguayan families."

 
Impact on Small-Scale Producers

Carlos Giménez, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), also remarked that this duty-free measure will be a significant opportunity to strengthen Paraguay's 30,000 small-scale pork producers and formalize their production activities. With the opening of new international markets, these producers will be able to specialize their production processes and access the doubled domestic export demand.

"This victory in the pork sector is also a victory for small-scale producers," Carlos Giménez said. "Now they can be better integrated into this chain and leverage this historic announcement in a formal way."

 
Productive Agenda and Bilateral Cooperation
José Chih-Cheng Han, Taiwan's Ambassador to Paraguay, reiterated that Paraguay is the only country exporting pork to the Taiwanese market duty-free, praising the coordinated collaborative efforts between the Paraguayan government and Taiwan. He explained that both governments have worked closely to increase Paraguayan agricultural exports and attract Taiwanese investment to Paraguay. This agreement, in particular, will deepen economic ties between the two nations and serve as a crucial milestone in strengthening cooperation, especially in the agricultural and food processing sectors.

"Today we are making another significant advancement, and I am confident that this will bring many fruitful results and benefits to both countries and their production sectors," Ambassador Han added. "Taiwan will continue to strengthen its economic agenda, both commercially and in terms of attracting Taiwanese investment to Paraguay."

This duty-free agreement is a result of consistent cooperation between the two countries since the opening of the Taiwanese market to Paraguayan pork in March 2018. While Taiwan did not impose high tariffs on Paraguayan pork imports even then, this new "duty-free" measure is expected to significantly enhance the price competitiveness of Paraguayan pork, playing a decisive role in expanding its market share in Taiwan. Taiwan's pork import market is approximately 300,000 tons annually, and Paraguay is expected to capture a substantial share of this market through this agreement.

The Paraguayan government plans to seize this opportunity to increase pork production, modernize production systems, and accelerate efforts to meet international hygiene and quality standards. This will ultimately diversify Paraguay's agricultural sector and contribute to national economic development through the export of high-value products. Furthermore, given that pork production in Paraguay is largely centered around small-scale farms, this agreement is also anticipated to have a positive impact on increasing rural incomes and reducing poverty.

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