LatinNews Daily - 13 January 2026

*Mario Balmelli, the president of the beef commission in the influential Asociación Rural del Paraguay (ARP) umbrella group of large agricultural producers, has said that Paraguay’s beef exports to the European Union (EU) represent between 1.5% and 2% of the country’s total beef exports. In an interview with local radio station ABC Cardinal, he said that with the opening up of the European market under a free trade deal between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur regional trade bloc, Paraguay hopes to have 25% of the quota of 99,000 tonnes of beef that is to be distributed among Mercosur countries at reduced tariffs which he described as the “main advantage” for Paraguay. However, Balmelli expressed concern about safeguards and import quotas in place to protect European farmers. The Council of the EU recently approved the trade agreement and partnership agreement with Mercosur, which is due to be signed in Paraguay’s capital, Asunción, on 17 January.