Main companies caused slaughter to fall in June

A significant reduction in activity by Paraguay’s two largest meatpacking companies led to a drop in slaughter during June. Senacsa reported that export plants slaughtered 198,426 head of cattle, nearly 24,000 fewer than in May — when fat cattle prices peaked — and over 12,000 head (6%) fewer than the same month last year. Export plants produced 49,000 tons of beef.

The drop in slaughter was led by the country’s two main groups, Minerva and Concepción. Year-on-year, Concepción's slaughter fell 23% to 41,237 head, while Minerva’s declined 21% to 64,489. In contrast, the other plants increased their slaughter by 21% to 92,700 head, mainly due to Victoria’s production — which was just beginning test slaughters a year ago — and a 17% increase in slaughter at Frigorífico Guaraní. Conversely, Frigochorti and Frigochaco recorded year-on-year drops of 8% and 6%, respectively.

In the first half of the year, Paraguayan exporting meatpackers slaughtered 1,177,107 head of cattle, 115,000 more than in the same period of 2024.