Local potential in cassava starch production highlighted

With the installation of factories that process cassava, the starch industry became an important competitor within the segment and positioned itself in the foreign market. Cassava starch production in 2020 was 47,900 tons, a figure considered auspicious by the Paraguayan Chamber of Cassava and Starches (Capama), since in 2019 it reached 45,000 tons.

The head of the union, Eno Bronstrup, indicated that although they do not yet have projections for 2021 in terms of production, they expect it to be a good year for the sector. He argued that the cassava industry is interesting in Paraguay, but there is still a lack of technology to accompany the work of farmers to increase the volume.

In this sense, the president of Capama mentioned that there are technological tools that the small producer does not know and that can help improve production and take advantage of the varieties of cassava that exist. He added that the help of technicians from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) is key in the process.

Income

Last year’s production was added to the remainder that remained from 2019. From the Paraguayan Chamber of Cassava and Starches they indicated that 19,770 tons were sold domestically while 31,157 tons were shipped for the international market, sales that generated income of US $ 14 million, as provided by the union.

Destinations

In terms of markets, the main buyer of Paraguayan starch last year was Colombia with a 35% share of shipments, according to data from Capama. In second place is Argentina with 19%, followed by Bolivia with 16%, Chile 7%, Venezuela 5%, Uruguay 4%, Ecuador and the United States with 2% respectively and Spain 1%. While it also embarked to Costa Rica, the Netherlands, Guatemala, Canada, Peru, the Dominican Republic, France and Germany.

At the end of the first quarter of 2021, Paraguay exported 9,247 tons worth US $ 4.2 million. Among the 5 main buyers as of March is the United States with a participation of 31%, Argentina with 27%, Chile, Mexico and Bolivia with 7%.

Source:

https://www.lanacion.com.py/negocios/2021/04/18/destacan-potencial-local-en-la-produccion-de-almidon-de-mandioca/