/Agencia IP
Paraguay took a new step in its commercial insertion strategy in Asia, with the completion of its first export of poultry meat to the Philippines, just two months after the official opening of that market.
This achievement is part of the commercial strategy promoted by the Government with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), made up of 10 countries that together represent more than 700 million inhabitants and a GDP of over USD 3.9 trillion, establishing itself as the fifth largest economy in the world.
The shipment of a 40-foot refrigerated container with 27 tons of skin-on boneless thigh, distributed in 2,250 boxes of 12 kilograms, meeting all required sanitary and commercial requirements, marks the beginning of a new window of opportunities for the country.
Gerónimo Vargas Peña, general manager of Pollos Kzero, the company exporting the poultry meat, highlighted that reaching the Philippine market represents “a historic milestone for Paraguayan poultry farming.” He emphasized that the Philippine demand for various chicken cuts generates opportunities for the entire productive chain, from hiring labor to increasing the demand for inputs such as corn.
Vargas explained that Southeast Asia is a strategic market due to its high consumption of animal protein and the preference for different cuts, which allows Paraguay to diversify its supply and advance in the industrialization of the sector through products with higher added value.
The manager stressed that “for us, it is not one of the markets, but the most attractive market for chicken meat. Not only because of the region’s population, but because they are quickly increasing their consumption of animal protein. In Southeast Asia, there is a market for breast, for wing, thigh and other cuts.”
When asked about the value chain generated by the poultry industry, the company’s representative explained that the company employs almost 2,000 people. He emphasized that achieving expansion to other markets with a good price can allow for a strong expansion with a significant impact, not only in direct and indirect labor, but also in product transformation and the trade balance.
Vargas Peña highlighted the work carried out by President Santiago Peña in his commercial missions accompanied by representatives of the Cabinet, through which the opening of key markets and the attention of various sectors is achieved.
He stated that there is no export that can be led simply by the private sector. This is a joint effort with the different government institutions, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Foreign Affairs, and obviously Senacsa, which is very important here, and they are the ones who open the door for us.
He added that afterwards it is up to the private sector to adjust its supply so that it can enter these markets, but if the government does not make the initial kick-off, it is impossible for the private sector to gain access, he pointed out.
For his part, Javier Viveros, Vice Minister of Rediex, indicated that this first export constitutes a concrete advance in the positioning of Paraguay in the Asian market.
It should be noted that according to data from the National Service of Animal Quality and Health (Senacsa), until October shipments of Paraguayan poultry meat reached approximately USD 9 million, with Albania as the main destination, followed by Vietnam and Iraq.
