February 20, 2023

Taiwan gets first batch of Paraguayan pork

Paraguay President Mario Abdo Benítez recently headed a delegation to Taiwan to celebrate the arrival of the first Paraguayan pork shipment to the country.

A ceremony was held in Taipei on February 15 to mark the occasion.

The Taiwanese market has high sanitary requirements and is one of the largest consumers and producers of pork. As such, the approval of the entry of Paraguayan products is a great step forward, according to Association of Pig Breeders president César Ros.

"It is an important milestone for the Paraguayan pork sector and, especially, also for the Paraguayan industry that has successfully qualified to be able to access the Taiwanese market," he said. "It is remarkable because Asian countries are the largest consumers of pork…"

Ros also underlined that the sector now hoped to be closer to other Asian markets such as South Korea, with whom negotiations are already underway.

The first shipment of some 72 tons of boneless Paraguayan pork left on January 20 and arrived in Taiwan on February 13, where it was received by Paraguayan Ambassador Carlos José Fleitas.

UPISA, which is chaired by Ros, owns the only meat packing plant in Paraguay authorised so far to send pork exports to Taiwan. The Pork Breeders Association is confident that, in the next three years, the amount of pork available for export could double.

Ros pointed out that Taiwan consumes some 900,000 tonnes of pork per year, of which 100,000 tonnes are imported.

"For us, and according to the volume we produce, it is important to export to the Taiwan market," he said. "This volume is going to increase as a result of the investments made; in three years, we could double.

"Paraguay has an excellent capacity to produce pork and chicken. This pork production policy is part of the process of adding value to raw materials produced in the country."

- MercoPress