Paraguay corn exports expected to fall

Paraguay’s corn exports are projected to decline by 12% to 2.9 million tonnes in the 2025-26 marketing year, as rising domestic demand driven by ethanol production and feed consumption continues to tighten exportable supplies, according to a report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture. The FAS forecast the country’s corn consumption to reach a record of 2.4 million tonnes, with demand for ethanol use reaching 1.5 million tonnes in 2025-26. “Paraguay’s bioethanol industry continues to expand,” the FAS said. “Two large-scale ethanol plants are currently operating at full capacity, and a third plant currently under refurbishment is expected to resume operations by mid-2025. “Once fully online, the plant will consume an estimated 420,000 to 450,000 tonnes of corn annually, beginning in calendar year 2026.” However, corn demand could be curtailed in coming years as the ethanol sector has begun exploring the use of sorghum as a partial ...