Paraguay: imports of agrochemicals reached US$ 327 million

Date:01-15-2016

The imports of agrochemicals in 2015 in Paraguay reached US$ 327,753,685, according to the country's National Directorship of Customs. The number is nearly US$ 11.1 million more than the previous year. In terms of volume, the imports also jumped from 31,380 tons to 35,925 tons.

“This increase happens because of the growth of the agricultural area in the last few years, besides the necessity of farmers to rely on fertilizers and crop protection products, especially in time of precipitations, where plagues proliferate,” said Eloy Boggino, executive-director of the Paraguayan Chamber of Agricultural Health.

On the other hand, the imports of agrochemicals are also due to the coming of new agricultural sectors such as the chia, sesame, among others. According to a research of Base IS organization, of the total of agrochemicals imported 63.4% come from China, 20.3% from Argentina and 8.1% from Brazil.

A total of 850 companies register import operations of agrochemicals, fertilizers or both, between January and December of 2015, according to National Service of Quality and Plant Health and Seeds (Senave).

The imports of different products are made through a Previous Import Authorization, which is requested by the interested companies, based generally on the market necessities, according to Senave. Also, 40% of the business is from Paraguayan companies like Agrotec SA, Noble Paraguay SA, Agrofértil and LDC Paraguay SA.