Following the recent opening of the Israeli market, a delegation from the Paraguayan Rural Association (ARP) met with Amit Mekel, the Israeli Ambassador to Paraguay, to discuss domestic livestock production and international trade, particularly beef trade.

According to the Paraguayan Rural Association, both parties extensively discussed agricultural cooperation projects between Paraguay and Israel, as well as potential association-level collaboration on new livestock and forestry initiatives.

During the meeting, the Paraguayan delegation emphasized the importance of the Israeli market for Paraguayan exports, especially the beef industry.

The meeting was held at the headquarters of the Paraguayan Rural Association and was chaired by Vice President Mario Apodaca and Delia Núñez, President of the Association's Environmental and Forestry Development Committee.

Israel Emerges as a Major Export Destination for Paraguayan Beef

According to the latest report (January-February of this year) from Paraguay's National Service for Quality and Animal Health (Senacsa), Israel has emerged as the fourth-largest market for Paraguayan beef exports, accounting for 11% of total exports. In the first two months of this year, Paraguay exported over 6,000 tons of beef, generating a total revenue of $37,033,425. In the export of bovine by-products, it ranked sixth, earning an income of $936,808.

Expanding New Markets: Path Opens for Lamb Exports

On March 20th, Senacsa announced that Israel had authorized one Paraguayan slaughter and processing facility for lamb exports. This facility is Victoria SA, owned by Juan Pablo, Sofía, and Sol Cartes, children of former President Horacio Cartes. This opening of the lamb market is expected to further expand the presence of Paraguayan livestock in the Israeli market.

Future Cooperation Prospects

Through this meeting, Paraguay and Israel reaffirmed the importance of mutual cooperation in the agricultural and livestock sectors and agreed to explore concrete cooperation plans. Collaboration between the two countries is expected to strengthen in various fields, including personnel exchange, technological cooperation, and joint research and development. In particular, close cooperation between the Paraguayan Rural Association and Israel is anticipated to contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of the Paraguayan livestock industry and securing new growth engines.