What Consumer Goods Does Paraguay Import?

As a landlocked, developing economy, Paraguay relies heavily on imports to meet domestic demand for finished and intermediate goods. Major categories include:

Top Import Categories (by value, recent years)

• Fuels & Lubricants: Refined petroleum (gasoline, diesel, LPG)—Paraguay has no refineries.
• Machinery & Equipment: Agricultural machinery (tractors, harvesters), construction equipment, industrial motors, computers, and telecommunications gear.
• Vehicles & Parts: Passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and spare parts.
• Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals: Fertilizers, pesticides, plastics, medicines, vaccines.
• Consumer Electronics: Smartphones, televisions, laptops, tablets, appliances.
• Textiles & Apparel: Fabrics, clothing, footwear (both finished goods and inputs for local assembly).
• Food & Beverages: Wheat, rice, processed foods, beer, wine, spirits (despite local production).
• Personal Care & Cosmetics: Toiletries, perfumes, beauty products.
• Household Goods: Furniture, kitchenware, toys, games.

Key Sources

Brazil, China, Argentina, USA, and Chile dominate supply. Mercosur membership gives preferential access to Brazilian and Argentine goods.

Economic Context

Imports ~$13–15 billion/year (pre-pandemic). A large informal re-export trade (triangulation) to Brazil and Argentina inflates gross figures but nets modest revenue.