Paraguay: Yerba mate activity in danger

Yerba mate producers in both Argentina and Paraguay are expressing disappointment over the low prices received for the crop, with Paraguayan producers receiving around 600 guaraníes per kilo of green leaf, while demanding a price of 2,350 guaraníes per kilogram to maintain plantations. This is despite the fact that two years ago, the price was 2,000 guaraníes. The low prices are attributed to the eradication of yerba mate plantations to make way for soybean plantations, as soybeans provide a guaranteed income for farmers despite current low prices. The low prices of yerba mate are also leading to significant losses for farmers as they cannot cover production costs.

(NAP) The low prices that producers receive for yerba mate are not exclusive to what happens in Argentina. In Paraguay, farmers also regret how unprofitable the crop has become in recent years. According to what they explained to El Territorio from the Itapúa area, today a producer receives about 600 guaraníes per kilo of green leaf, grown on his farm, about 100 Argentine pesos (it is quoted at 6 guaraníes). For those who sell it in the drying sheds, the price is 1,200 guaraníes (about 200 pesos), despite the fact that producers demand a value of 2,350 guaraníes (392 pesos) per kilogram of green leaf to maintain plantations. It is worth remembering that in Paraguay, a country with very low inflation, two years ago a kilo of green leaf was sold for 2,000 guaraníes. And even then, the price was insufficient. In the neighboring country, the aggravating factor is that in some localities with yerba mate plantations such as Mayor Otaño, San Rafael, Capitán Meza, they are eradicating the ...