Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormIn-shell (unroasted)
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
In-shell raw peanut (maní) in Paraguay is produced in both the Eastern Region (Región Oriental) and the Chaco, and has shifted from a mainly domestic crop toward a more export-visible specialty oilseed. Export shipments have been publicly reported by Paraguay’s plant health authority (SENAVE) through its export certification workflow. Because peanuts are a high-mycotoxin-risk commodity, buyer acceptance is strongly conditioned by aflatoxin controls and documented testing, especially for high-standard markets. As a landlocked exporter, Paraguay’s outbound logistics and transit reliability (river and overland) are an important determinant of delivered cost and shipment timing.
Market RoleProducer and emerging exporter
Domestic RoleDomestic food and snack ingredient crop with expanding processing and export programs.
Market GrowthGrowing (2023–2025 public reporting)Press-reported expansion of export shipments and industry investment in processing capacity.
Specification
Secondary Variety- 503
- OL3
- Granoleico (high-oleic)
- Tatú IAC
- Pytá
- Negrito
- Moroti
- Rosado
Physical Attributes- Intact, well-filled pods with low breakage and low foreign matter after cleaning.
- Low visible mold and minimal insect damage to reduce buyer rejection risk.
- Uniform pod sizing preferred for consistent handling and industrial sorting.
Compositional Metrics- Moisture management (kept sufficiently low to prevent mold growth during storage/transit).
- Aflatoxin compliance testing is a key acceptance criterion for many export destinations.
Packaging- Dry, breathable export packaging (sacks or bulk bags) with labeling sufficient for lot identification and traceability.
- Moisture-barrier and condensation control in container loading practices to prevent quality deterioration.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Harvest (digging/lifting) → field curing/drying → cleaning and grading → in-shell bagging → SENAVE export certification request via VUE → phytosanitary inspection (and sampling as required) → containerization → multimodal export (river/barge and/or truck) to regional ports
Temperature- Avoid heat build-up and condensation in storage and containers; maintain dry conditions to limit mold and aflatoxin risk.
Atmosphere Control- Ventilation and humidity control during storage and container stuffing are important to reduce moisture migration and fungal growth.
Shelf Life- Storage stability is primarily limited by moisture pickup and mold/mycotoxin development rather than rapid spoilage; breaks in dry-chain can trigger downgrades or rejection.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Food Safety HighAflatoxin contamination risk in raw peanuts can cause shipment rejection, intensified border controls, or loss of market access in strict destinations; regulatory maximum levels and official control programs in key importing markets make this a primary deal-breaker risk for export lots.Implement strict drying/curing and moisture-control SOPs, segregate suspect lots, run accredited lab testing for aflatoxins pre-shipment, and retain full lot traceability and certificates aligned to buyer and destination requirements.
Logistics MediumAs a landlocked exporter, Paraguay relies heavily on the Paraguay–Paraná waterway and connecting corridors; disruptions (water levels, congestion, infrastructure constraints) can delay exports and increase delivered cost.Build schedule buffers, pre-book barge/truck capacity, use moisture-protective container stuffing practices, and diversify routes/ports where commercially feasible.
Regulatory Compliance MediumDestination-country phytosanitary requirements for plant products can change without notice, and document/condition mismatches can trigger inspection delays or non-compliance findings.Validate the latest destination requirements with the importing country’s NPPO and align SENAVE certificate applications, lot conditions (presentation/processing), and document set before shipment.
Sustainability- Land-use change and deforestation scrutiny in Paraguay (especially for agricultural expansion) can create buyer due-diligence and origin-traceability expectations for crop sourcing, including peanuts.
FAQ
Which authority issues phytosanitary certificates for exporting peanuts from Paraguay?Paraguay’s Servicio Nacional de Calidad y Sanidad Vegetal y de Semillas (SENAVE) manages phytosanitary certification for exported plant products, and exporters are instructed to request certificates through the Ventanilla Única de Exportación (VUE) process and present the lot for inspection.
What is the main food-safety risk that can block market access for raw peanuts from Paraguay?Aflatoxins (mycotoxins) are the most critical risk for raw peanuts, because many importing markets set maximum levels and can reject shipments that do not comply, making pre-shipment controls and testing essential.
Why is logistics a meaningful risk for Paraguayan peanut exports?Because Paraguay is landlocked, exports depend on multimodal corridors—especially the Paraguay–Paraná river system and overland links—to reach Atlantic ports, so corridor disruptions can affect timing and delivered cost.