EN 
PT_BR 
The state of Paraná ends the year as one of Brazil's leading exporters. In five sectors, for example, it occupies the top of the national ranking, including both raw materials and higher value-added goods: fertilizers, meats, milling industry products, silk, and hats. The information comes from the Paraná Institute for Economic and Social Development (Ipardes), with data collected by the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC), between January and October 2025.
Photos: Claudio Neves/Ports of Paraná
Silk is a prime example of Paraná's strong performance in higher value-added goods. The state is responsible for a huge share of the country's exports in this item, accounting for 86% of sales. The product goes especially to France, where it is absorbed by major international luxury goods brands. Revenue from the trade of this commodity reached US$10 million in the period from January to October, surpassing the figures generated by São Paulo (US$4 million) and Rio de Janeiro (US$39,000).
In November, Paraná even sent two silk producers to the European country. They won the Paraná Silk Competition and represented the state at Silk in Lyon, one of the world's leading silk festivals.
Hats are another manufacturing segment where Paraná is watching its competitors from the rearview mirror. To achieve leadership in Brazilian exports in this area, the state's sales reached US$3.7 million in the first ten months of the year. São Paulo (US$2.5 million) and Rio Grande do Sul (US$2.3 million) complete the podium. The largest municipal exporters of hats are Guaíra, Siqueira Campos, Foz do Iguaçu, and Apucarana.
Meat is another success story in Paraná. Taking into account all types of the product – beef, pork, chicken, among others –
Photo: Ari Dias/AEN-PR
Sales in the state reached US$3.6 billion in the first ten months of the current fiscal year. Santa Catarina (US$3.443 billion) and Mato Grosso (US$3.440 billion) follow. The Port of Paranaguá is also the largest exporter of frozen meat in Brazil. The state is also the largest producer of chicken and the second largest producer of pork in the country.
Regarding products from the milling industry, a segment dominated by starches and flours, Paraná's exports totaled US$34 million, surpassing São Paulo (US$19 million) and Mato Grosso do Sul (US$11 million). One of the main byproducts is cassava starch, whose production is significant in the Northwest region.
In terms of raw numbers, fertilizer trade with the international market has had a very solid impact, with US$108 million in revenue for companies in Paraná. This amount represents 44% of the national total, far ahead of Rio Grande do Sul (US$85 million) and São Paulo (US$33 million). Paraná is also a major importer of fertilizers for use in agriculture.
This dominant performance across such diverse sectors is highlighted by the Secretary of Planning for Paraná, Ulisses Maia. "We are not only a benchmark in agribusiness production, but also in other segments. This is demonstrated by the foreign trade data," he stated.
According to Jorge Callado, CEO of Ipardes, this is the result of a state that invests in economic development, whether through accessible financing, training, or encouraging entrepreneurship. "High-quality items, such as ties and scarves, are manufactured in France using Paraná silk as an ingredient, which demonstrates the competence of local producers," he said.
Trade balance
Overall, Paraná's exports totaled US$2 billion in October 2025, according to data from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC), representing an increase of US$3.53 billion compared to the same period in 2024, when the state's foreign sales totaled US$1.94 billion. From January to October, Paraná reached US$19.7 billion in exports, led by soybeans (US$4 billion), fresh chicken meat (US$2.9 billion) and soybean meal (US$1 billion).
