GIEWS Country Brief: Paraguay 25-September-2026

EXTRACTO DEL FEED · ATRIBUIDO AL MEDIO

Country: Paraguay

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

**FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT** 1. **Strong demand by ethanol and feed industries supported above‑average maize plantings** 2. **Export of cereals in 2025/26 estimated at above‑average level** 3. **Food inflation eases to yearly low in August 2026** ## Strong demand by ethanol and feed industries supported above‑average maize plantings Harvesting of the 2026 main maize Z*afriña* season is heading to completion. Torrential rainfall amounts between mid‑July and mid‑August disrupted harvesting operations in key producing departments of Alto Paraná, Itapúa, Caaguazú and Canindeyú, resulting in localized crop losses and weighing on yield prospects. Nevertheless, production is forecast at above‑average level, as sustained demand from the domestic ethanol and feed industries supported an expansion in plantings. Aggregate maize production in 2026, including the minor maize season harvested between December 2025 and January 2026, is forecast at 5.5 million tonnes, above the five‑year average, but well below the record‑high level of the previous year, on account of large plantings. The harvest of 2026 wheat crops is expected to start in September. Output is anticipated at near‑average level, but below the above‑average harvests recorded in the previous two years, reflecting a contraction in the area sown due to low prices at planting times. Reduced year‑on‑year prices in Brazil, the country’s main export market, reduced wheat profitability and discouraged sowing intentions during the first half of 2026. In addition, above‑average temperatures and excessive precipitation in July and August 2026 adversely affected crop development, and increased the incidence of pest and fungal diseases, further weighing on yield prospects. ## Export of cereals in 2025/26 estimated at above‑average level Cereal exports in the 2025/26 marketing year (July/June) are estimated at an above‑average level of 5.2 million tonnes, underpinned by strong regional demand for maize, wheat and paddy. Exports of maize are estimated at about 3.5 million tonnes in 2026, as robust demand from Argentina and Chile, where production in 2025 was below average, offset weaker demand from Brazil. Wheat and rice exports were also above average in 2025/26, reflecting ample exportable surpluses following the above‑average output harvested in 2025. ## Food inflation eases to yearly low in August 2026 After declining in June 2026 with the start of the harvest, wholesale prices of yellow maize strengthened in July, reflecting delays in harvesting operations caused by excessive precipitation during the second half of the month. Prices stabilized in August as improved weather conditions facilitated harvesting activities and remained close to their year‑earlier levels, supported by ample market availability from large output harvested in 2025 and 2026. Between March and August 2026, wholesale prices of rice declined seasonally by about 10 percent and, in July 2026, were about 15 percent lower year‑on‑year. The decrease primarily reflected lower international prices, reinforced by ample domestic availability following the above‑average 2025 outturn. Food inflation was estimated at yearly minimum 1.5 percent in August 2026, compared to 4.6 percent rate in August 2025. The easing mainly reflected lower transport costs following the decline in fuel prices in June, together with downward pressure from rice prices. *Disclaimer: The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.* *This brief was prepared using the following data/tools:* *FAO/GIEWS Country Cereal Balance Sheet (CCBS)* [*https://www.fao.org/giews/data-tools/en/* ](https://www.fao.org/giews/data-tools/en/). *FAO/GIEWS Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Tool* [*https://fpma.fao.org/* ](https://fpma.fao.org/). *FAO/GIEWS Earth Observation for Crop Monitoring* [*https://www.fao.org/giews/earthobservation/* ](https://www.fao.org/giews/earthobservation/). *Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)* [*https://www.ipcinfo.org/*](https://www.ipcinfo.org/)