Paraguay economic activity grows 3.8% in February, central bank indicator shows

Paraguay’s economic activity rose 3.8% in February, driven mainly by the primary sector and services, the central bank said, citing its Monthly Indicator of Economic Activity of Paraguay (Imaep).

The Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP) said activity was up 2.7% year on year in cumulative terms through the first two months of 2026.

In the primary sector, activity increased 6.3% in February and rose 7.2% year on year, supported by higher output of soybeans, rice, cassava, sugarcane, beans, sunflower and tobacco, the BCP said. The gains were partly offset by lower production of corn, cotton, sesame and yerba mate, based on the latest 2025/2026 crop updates from the Agriculture and Livestock Ministry (MAG), it added.

Livestock posted a negative year-on-year performance in February due to lower cattle slaughter, the BCP said, though it noted increases in pig and poultry slaughter as well as higher production of raw milk and eggs.

The following provides a historical overview of containerized pork exports from Paraguay, recorded between January 2023 and January 2026:

Pork Exports | Paraguay | Jan 2022 – Jan 2026 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

In the secondary sector, activity rose 0.9% through February and was up 3.0% year on year, with positive contributions from electricity distribution, water supply and sanitation, the BCP said. Construction also contributed due to strong demand for inputs, particularly domestically produced materials, it said, while power generation declined.

Manufacturing showed modest growth of 0.3% in February and a 0.7% year-on-year increase, with gains in production of oils, dairy products, sugar, beverages and tobacco, textiles and apparel, wood, paper, non-metallic minerals and other manufacturing, including furniture, the BCP said. Those advances were partly offset by declines in meat, leather and footwear production, chemicals, metal products and other segments, it added.

The services sector expanded 3.0% in February and rose 3.3% in cumulative year-on-year terms, supported by transport, financial intermediation, telecommunications and information services, and restaurants and hotels, among others, the BCP said. It reported declines in commercial activity and government services.

The BCP also reported a 2.7% increase for February and a 3.9% year-on-year gain, according to the Imaep reading.

Source: Agencia de Información Paraguaya

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