Paraguay

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a relatively small but increasingly important crop in Paraguay, where production is concentrated mainly among smallholder farmers. The crop is grown in several departments, with Paraguarí historically representing the main production area. According to Paraguay’s 2022 National Agricultural Census, potato cultivation covered 773 hectares, with Paraguarí accounting for about 75.7% of the national cultivated area. Paraguay’s production remains far below domestic demand, making the country heavily dependent on imports, particularly from Argentina.

Paraguay’s potato growing conditions vary considerably between regions and production generally depends on appropriate planting periods, irrigation and access to healthy seed. The crop is also being tested and expanded into additional departments, including Guairá, Itapúa, San Pedro, Ñeembucú, Caazapá, Central, Concepción, Cordillera, Caaguazú, Misiones, Alto Paraná and Canindeyú. Recent government-supported programmes have focused on increasing domestic production, distributing certified seed and providing technical assistance to family farmers.

Spunta has been an important potato variety in Paraguay and has been described as the main variety grown in the country. Other varieties evaluated or promoted include Kennebec, Atlantic and Catucha, while research and development programmes are working to improve the availability of healthy, virus-free planting material. The Paraguayan Institute of Agricultural Technology (IPTA) has also evaluated technologies such as hydroponic and aeroponic production for producing potato seed and intensifying cultivation. For processing, varieties with higher dry matter, including Kennebec and Atlantic, have greater potential than Spunta, whose relatively low dry-matter content limits its suitability for some industrial applications.

Potato cultivation in Paraguay has a longer history than its present production scale suggests. Historical records show that potato production was already established in the country by the late 20^th century, with the International Potato Center (CIP) documenting Paraguay's potato culture and seed production programme in work presented at a 1987 regional conference and published in 1989. FAO-based historical data indicate considerable fluctuations in production: Paraguay produced more than 11,000 tonnes in 1969, while production later declined substantially. The available series therefore shows that potato has been cultivated commercially in Paraguay for decades, but national production has not developed into a consistently large-scale industry.

During the 21^st century, efforts have increasingly focused on improving productivity and reducing dependence on imported potatoes and seed. FAO-based data cited in a 2024 study show production increasing from 1,250 tonnes in 2008 to 4,089 tonnes in 2021, although more recent data indicate substantial fluctuations. Seed supply has remained a major constraint; Paraguay has historically relied heavily on imported seed potatoes, particularly from Argentina. More recently, IPTA and KOPIA have worked on virus-free seed production and multiplication of varieties such as Spunta, Catucha and Kennebec. Government programmes have also expanded potato cultivation beyond traditional production areas, with the stated objective of increasing domestic supply and supporting thousands of smallholder families.