Paraguayan meat industry reception held in Taipei

Taipei, Feb. 25 (CNA) Taiwanese importers and Paraguayan exporters gathered in Taipei Tuesday to discuss bilateral commercial ties at the "Meats of Paraguay Reception Dinner."

In a news release, the event's organizer the Paraguayan Meats Association said it was held to serve as a key platform for reinforcing Paraguay's role as a reliable meat supplier and to explore further trade opportunities.

In an address to the reception, Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi (陳明祺) said that the latest figures showed Paraguay was now Taiwan's second-largest source of frozen beef imports, accounting for 11 percent of the total imports.

Taiwan was also the largest overseas destination for Paraguayan pork, accounting for 88 percent of the South American country's total pork exports, Chen said. "This demonstrates the confidence of Taiwan's consumers in Paraguayan meat products," said Chen, who took up his post as deputy foreign minister last week.

According to Chen, Taiwan's executive and legislative branches were working on reducing tariffs on Paraguayan pork products as soon as possible.

"Once finalized, Paraguay will become the first country to enjoy zero tariffs on pork exports to Taiwan. This certainly will further spur bilateral trade, as Taiwanese consumers will have greater access to high-quality Paraguayan pork," Chen added.

A delegation from Paraguay also attended the event.

Among those in the Paraguayan delegation were the country's Vice Minister of Exports and Investments Javier Viveros and President of the Paraguayan Meats Association Randy Ross Wiebe.

In 2024, Paraguay exported over 35,000 tons of beef and offal to Taiwan, valued at over US$200 million, along with 9,000 tons of pork, worth approximately US$30 million, according to the Paraguayan Meats Association.

Paraguay is one of 12 countries, and the only one in South America, to maintain diplomatic relations with the Republic of China, Taiwan's official name.