JPMorgan Natural Capital announces its first foray into forestry assets outside the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. The partnership with the Robinson Group will transform 20,000 hectares in the northern part of the country, with a focus on industrialization and carbon credits.
Asunción, October 2, 2026 (Mercado & Negocios). In a strong endorsement of Paraguay’s macroeconomic stability, financial giant JPMorgan has announced a US$200 million investment to develop an industrial-scale forestry platform.
The agreement, announced in New York alongside President Santiago Peña, marks a milestone for JPMorgan’s Natural Capital division, as it is the first time the firm has deployed capital in this sector outside its traditional markets (the United States, Australia, and New Zealand).
The operation will be carried out through a strategic partnership with the local conglomerate Grupo Robinson, which will provide operational expertise and on-the-ground logistics.
Focus on Industrialization and Sustainability
The project, scheduled to begin operations in early 2027, will not be limited to primary timber production. The strategic plan calls for vertical integration that includes:
1. Commercial forests: Planting 20,000 hectares of high-yield species (primarily eucalyptus) in the initial phase, concentrated in the departments of Concepción and San Pedro.
2. Local Industrialization: Processing of forest biomass at the source to manufacture products such as lumber, laminates, furniture, and, in the long term, pulp.
3. Restoration and Carbon: Ecological restoration of native ecosystems and monetization of environmental services through the issuance of carbon credits.
Speaking on behalf of REDIEX, Deputy Minister Eduardo Gustale noted that, although the official announcement is for US$200 million, the agreement provides for an investment range that could reach US$250 million as the details of the new corporate structure are finalized.
Paraguay on the Global Investment Map
This large-scale investment —which manages global assets totaling US$11 billion—comes shortly after JPMorgan included Paraguayan sovereign bonds denominated in guaraníes in its GBI-EM emerging markets debt index, recognizing the country’s investment-grade rating and stability.
Facundo Gómez Minujín, JPMorgan’s CEO for the Southern Cone, highlighted Paraguay’s paradigm shift in the region. “Paraguay used to be a neglected country, and now it’s a logistics hub,” he said, highlighting factors such as its low inflation, monetary stability, energy resources, and a lean government that supports the private sector.
This project is expected to boost the rural economy of northern Paraguay by creating direct, skilled jobs and stimulating value chains associated with industrial infrastructure.
