In Paraguay this year, the price of meat commodities increased on Independence Day (May 14 and 15) and Mother's Day (May 15), placing a greater burden on people's wallets. The prices of some of the most popular parts of beef and pork have increased compared to prices during the May Day holiday. Daniel Burt, manager of the Paraguayan Meat Chamber, said the increase was due to a variety of factors and it would be irresponsible to talk about a specific date for the price reduction.

Paraguay's Última Horacio newspaper reported on the 13th that wide-cut beef rib ribs, one of the preferred parts of barbecue, currently sell for between 86,650 and 96,950 guaraníes per kilogram, much higher than the promotional price a few weeks ago.

Beef from other parts of traditional barbecues also went up sharply. Circular thigh meat currently sells for 619.5 guinea per kilogram, while beef hind legs cost 574.5 guinea and beef shanks sell for 71,700 guinea.

Among the most expensive meat segments, vacuum-packed veal tops the list at 150 thousand guaraníes per kilogram.

Pork, a more affordable alternative, has also failed to escape this upward trend. Pork spinach sells for 44,150 guinea per kilogram, small spinach for 39,750 guinea and pork shoulder and neck for 37,200 guinea.Only some specialty meats, such as pork front legs and pork ribs, remain below 25,000 guaraníes per kilogram.

In the face of this rising price trend, Burt explained that there is no precise date for a price cut because there are so many factors involved, including climate factors, dollar exchange rate fluctuations, rainfall factors, and demand factors at home and abroad. It is therefore highly irresponsible to predict specific price reduction dates in a market where meat supply and demand are highly free and are influenced by multiple factors.

Bert adds that the increase in meat demand in Paraguay involves a general supply-and-demand problem that is now almost everywhere in the world, where demand exceeds supply. In addition, the National Meat Processing Centre has made a significant leap in quality, but this has also been accompanied by a rise in production costs.

At present, Paraguay is working to increase the supply of meat varieties, which total more than 20. To improve supply, the meat industry also plans to increase meat supply through imports when the terms of trade allow.

With regard to the problems, Burt noted that just as drought has been a problem in the past few years, so too much rain is now causing two problems. The first is the issue of the transport of livestock and the access of livestock from the pasture to the cryogenic processing plant; Second, the grass is now more abundant, which makes ranchers choose to keep their animals to gain weight rather than sell them.

Now, the decline in cattle from the droughts of the past few years is improving, falling less than 1 per cent last year, well below forecasts, thanks to improved rainfall. Ranches are gradually returning to life, which will allow Paraguay to maintain current meat production in the medium term, both to meet export demand and to supply the local market.