{
  "id": 11138207,
  "title": "Paraguay Economy Grows 4% in Second Quarter as Exports Rise and Investment Falls",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/paraguay-economy-grows-4-in-second-quarter-as-exports-rise-and",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-01T07:25:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Rio Times",
    "slug": "the-rio-times",
    "url": "https://www.riotimesonline.com/paraguay-economy-grows-4-percent-q2-2026-exports-investment-2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Paraguay's economy expanded by 4.0% in the second quarter of 2026, compared to a year earlier, according to the central bank. This is a slowdown from the 7.3% growth recorded in the first quarter. The primary driver of growth was exports, which rose by 11.5% year-on-year, while imports fell by 5.7%. Domestic demand, however, contracted by 2.6%. Investment fell sharply by 11.8%, following a decline in purchases of crypto-mining machinery. The agriculture sector led the growth, expanding by 11.1% due to larger harvests of soy, rice, beans, sunflowers, and tobacco. The electricity and water output also increased by 13%, fueled by power-intensive industries. Livestock, forestry, and fishing sectors contracted by 4.1% as ranchers slaughtered fewer cattle. Manufacturing grew by a modest 1.8%, while services growth slowed to 3.4%. The BCP projects 4.5% growth for the entire year of 2026. Fitch Ratings affirmed Paraguay's credit rating at BB+ with a positive outlook, citing strong growth and a manageable debt level. However, the agency noted weaknesses in institutions, low tax collection, and unpaid bills to state suppliers. The country's international reserves stood at $11.44 billion, up 9.1% year-on-year, and the guaraní traded at around 5,856 per US dollar.",
  "summary": "Paraguay economy grew 4% in Q2 2026 on a year earlier, slowing from 7.3%, as exports rose 11.5% and investment fell. Fitch kept BB+ with a positive outlook. The post Paraguay Economy Grows 4% in Second Quarter as Exports Rise and Investment Falls appeared first on The Rio Times .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Rio Times",
        "title": "El Salvador Economy Grows 5.1% in Second Quarter as Construction Leads",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/el-salvador-economy-grows-5-1-in-second-quarter-as-construction-leads",
        "published": "2026-10-01T07:25:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}