In the rolling fields of Nueva Esperanza, soybeans are king 🌱. Paraguay is one of the world’s top soybean producers, and this crop fuels much of its economy. But there’s a catch: even with growing demand, the country doesn’t send its soy directly to the Chinese mainland, the biggest buyer on the planet.
Instead, shipments take a detour through neighboring countries like Brazil and Argentina before reaching the Chinese mainland. Farmers and lawmakers say these extra steps come down to diplomatic considerations, and that delay spikes costs and cuts into profit margins.
This year, local producers have felt the pinch. They face higher transport fees, longer delivery times, and tougher competition compared with peers who ship directly. For a sector that represents a huge slice of Paraguay’s exports, those lost dollars are hard to swallow.
Experts warn that until Paraguay can negotiate direct access to the Chinese mainland market, farmers will continue to lose out. Some call for a fresh diplomatic push to streamline trade, boost competitiveness, and secure better deals for the heart of Paraguay’s economy.
The soy story in Paraguay shows how politics and trade are deeply linked. For a country landlocked by neighbors, every extra mile on the map can translate into serious real-world costs.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
