Paraguay's central bank (BCP) reported a preliminary 4.4% year-on-year increase in the Business Turnover Estimator (ECN) for August 2026. Cumulative growth for January–August was 4.5%, while the three-month moving average stood at 4.4%. The ECN measures sales activity; it is not a direct measure of GDP growth or corporate profitability.
Manufacturing and trade supported the increase
Manufacturing sales were stronger in pharmaceuticals and chemicals, edible oils, dairy products, milling and bakeries, non-metallic mineral products and metal products. Trade increased in pharmaceuticals, home equipment, fuels, food and agricultural inputs. Meanwhile, certain manufacturing branches, department stores, clothing and technology products saw weaker sales.
Services were a key weak spot
Business services, transport, telecommunications, information services and household services experienced declines, the BCP reported. Real estate activities, restaurants and hotels partly offset those falls. The aggregate expansion therefore conceals marked sectoral differences.
Radar analysis: the 4.4% sales expansion is encouraging, but investors must distinguish turnover from volumes, costs and margins. The indicator does not establish that profitability improved across the economy.
Source: Central Bank of Paraguay — ECN, August 2026Official BCP report: ECN August 2026