Paraguay’s Cotton Exports Surge 63% in 2024, Driven by Chaco Region

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In 2024, Paraguayan cotton exports grew by 63%, reaching USD 48.5 million. The Chaco region played a key role in boosting production.

Paraguay’s cotton sector demonstrated significant growth in 2024, with fiber exports increasing by 63% to reach USD 48.5 million. This gradual recovery marks the resurgence of a commodity once known as «white gold» due to its crucial role in rural economy and its significance as an income source for farming families.

The surge in exports is primarily attributed to the involvement of Mennonite producers in the Chaco region, who have optimized textile production through advanced technology adoption and efficient agricultural practices. These producers have consistently expanded their cultivation area, enabling sustained growth in production and export volumes.

The mechanization of the production process has been a decisive factor in improving Paraguayan cotton’s competitiveness in the international market. However, despite the sector’s rebound, cotton no longer holds the economic significance it had in past decades, when it represented a fundamental income source for farming families, particularly for purchasing school supplies in rural areas.