Paraguay and Argentina export sector growth

Paraguay and Argentina have reported significant growth in their agricultural and manufacturing export sectors.

In Paraguay, soybean crushing reached its second-highest historical volume in July, with approximately 382,000 tons processed. The cumulative volume for the first seven months of the year rose 12.7% year-on-year to 2,234,720 tons, the highest level for this period since 2018. Additionally, Paraguay’s maquila industry exports reached USD 1.01 billion through August, a 26% increase from the previous year, driven largely by auto parts, apparel, and beverages.

Argentina has also seen substantial export increases. Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) exports reached a 13-year high of USD 7.36 billion between January and August 2026, a 24% increase over the previous year. This growth was driven by 6,721 participating SMEs, particularly in agro-industrial manufactures, primary products, and animal feed.

However, Argentina’s domestic market faces challenges. Economy Minister Luis Caputo noted that while energy and mining sectors are performing well, retail sales for SMEs have declined due to increased household debt and reduced purchasing power. Caputo reported that sectors such as commerce, industry, and construction continue to struggle. President Javier Milei expressed support for the Minister’s remarks on social media, characterizing his response to critics as a ‘masterclass: irony’.