H.E. Cynthia Filartiga-Lacroix, Paraguay’s ambassador to France, attended the official inauguration of the Paraguay pavilion on Saturday where she praised the agri-food sector as the nation’s “driving force”.

Paraguay’s strong presence at this year’s show reflects the vitality of the country’s agri-food sector, something the Ambassador made sure to highlight. She outlined the wide variety of products being presented at the country’s pavilion, which this year occupies no less than 170 m2. From soy, wheat, corn, rice, and chia, to traditional yerba mate tea, dairy products, flours, and yuca products, the 20 some Paraguayan companies and sector guilds exhibiting at SIAL Paris this year represent the wealth of the country’s offerings.

Additionally, H.E. Cynthia Filartiga-Lacroix stressed the effort the Paraguayan agri-food industry has made to introduce innovation and new technologies, and in the context of the world’s current geopolitical fragility, she also emphasised its commitment to ensuring food security.

“We’re here to demonstrate what we can do,” asserted Eduardo Oswald of the Centro Yerbatero Paraguayo (CYP), an association that groups the country’s yerba mate producers, underlining the relevance of SIAL Paris as a platform that provides visibility to Paraguayan companies.

Paraguay’s presence at SIAL Paris is supported by the country’s export and investment promotion agency, the Investment and Export Network (REDIEX). “Paraguay is one of the world’s largest agricultural exporters,” said Gustavo Rodríguez Báez of REDIEX’s food and beverage division. Aiming to surpass its previous presence at SIAL Paris, a show it has already been participating in for several years, the Paraguay pavilion, Mr Rodríguez Báez proudly noted, has five new exhibitors this year.

Paraguay Pavilion, Hall 4