Paraguay expands beef export capacity to Chile with 12 authorized plants

Paraguay has expanded its beef export capacity to Chile, bringing the total number of authorized meat processing plants to 12. The most recent addition is Frigorífico Los Lazos SA, which received authorization from Chile’s Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) to export refrigerated and frozen boneless beef, as well as frozen cooked bovine stomachs.

This authorization followed technical exchanges and audits between Chile’s SAG and Paraguay’s National Service for Quality and Animal Health (Senacsa). The expansion aims to meet high demand in the Chilean market, where Paraguay accounted for 34.4% of beef imports between January and June of this year, trailing only Brazil.

José Carlos Martin, president of Senacsa, noted that the growing consumer confidence in Paraguayan meat quality provides opportunities to diversify exports. Beyond beef, officials are looking toward other proteins, such as pork, to further strengthen bilateral trade relations.