Tapioca starch holds a significant position in Paraguay’s trade landscape, with the country emerging as a prominent exporter and importer of this versatile product.
Paraguay’s Tapioca Starch Exports
In 2021, Paraguay exported an impressive $22.7 million worth of tapioca starch, securing its position as the 6th largest exporter of this product globally. Within Paraguay itself, tapioca starch ranked as the 34th most exported item.
Paraguay’s primary destinations for tapioca starch exports include the United States, accounting for a substantial $10.6 million worth of exports, followed by Argentina with $2.67 million, Bolivia with $2.03 million, Chile with $1.84 million, and Colombia with $1.25 million. These countries represent the core customer base for Paraguayan tapioca starch, reflecting its global reach and market demand.
Between 2020 and 2021, Paraguay witnessed significant growth in its export of tapioca starch to specific countries. The fastest-growing markets during this period were the United States, experiencing an increase of $10.3 million, followed by Chile with $864k and Spain with $660k. These figures underscore the expanding demand and market potential for Paraguayan tapioca starch in these regions.
| Continent | Country | Trade Value |
| Asia | Israel | 188,932 |
| Europe | Switzerland | 17,619 |
| Europe | Germany | 84,630 |
| Europe | Spain | 927,908 |
| Europe | France | 82,870 |
| Europe | Netherlands | 157,140 |
| Europe | Portugal | 5,364 |
| Europe | Serbia | 25,817 |
| Europe | Ukraine | 493 |
| North America | Canada | 398,997 |
| North America | Costa Rica | 51,135 |
| North America | Dominican Republic | 16,219 |
| North America | Guatemala | 224,427 |
| North America | Mexico | 486,136 |
| North America | Panama | 110,820 |
| North America | United States | 10,589,124 |
| South America | Argentina | 2,669,759 |
| South America | Bolivia | 2,028,558 |
| South America | Chile | 1,837,885 |
| South America | Colombia | 1,249,460 |
| South America | Ecuador | 575,384 |
| South America | Peru | 455,394 |
| South America | Uruguay | 556,965 |
| South America | Venezuela | 2,622 |
Paraguay’s Tapioca Starch Imports
In 2021, Paraguay imported $2.74 million worth of tapioca starch, positioning itself as the 28th largest importer of this product globally. Within Paraguay, tapioca starch ranked as the 594th most imported item. Paraguay primarily relies on Brazil as its main source, importing the entire $2.74 million worth of tapioca starch from this country.
Between 2020 and 2021, Paraguay experienced significant growth in tapioca starch imports from Brazil, with an impressive increase of $2.55 million during this period. This indicates a growing reliance on Brazilian tapioca starch to meet Paraguay’s specific needs.
Tariffs on Tapioca Starch
In 2018, Paraguay applied an average tariff of 9.6% on tapioca starch imports. Among the countries with the highest import tariffs for this product were Angola, Burundi, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Botswana, each imposing a 10% Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment. These tariffs play a crucial role in trade dynamics, influencing the cost and competitiveness of imported tapioca starch in Paraguay.
Data from BACI