United States imports of Paraguayan beef reached 30,000 tonnes between January and July, 46% more than a year earlier, according to the US Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service. Most of it was frozen lean beef, used mainly in ground-beef production.

Paraguay expects the United States to become its third-largest beef market by volume in 2027, behind Chile and Israel. Exporters estimate that 8,000 to 10,000 tonnes entered the United States under the existing tariff-rate quota during 2026, and they see further room under the temporary US tariff-free quota for lean beef trimmings, where they could supply 5,000 to 10,000 tonnes — though Brazil is expected to capture most of that volume.

Paraguay's beef exports in 2027 are forecast at 460,000 tonnes carcass-weight equivalent as production rises while domestic consumption grows only modestly.

For US buyers, Paraguay adds another source of lean processing beef at a time when domestic cattle supplies remain tight; for US producers, the rising shipments mean more competition in the lean-beef market even as they help keep ground-beef supplies topped up.

Source: All Ag News