Ripe for resilience:
Paraguay’s tomatoes receive presidential backing

– 07 January 2026 –

The President of the Republic of Paraguay – Santiago Peña Palacios – has distributed seedlings of newly released stress-tolerant tomatoes to farmers in the country, during a field day aimed at strengthening domestic tomato production.

The new varieties, developed from WorldVeg breeding lines, were officially released for cultivation following multi-year field trials conducted by the Paraguayan Institute of Agricultural Technology (IPTA), with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan.

President Peña was joined by IPTA President Edgar Esteche and Minister of Agriculture Carlos Giménez, signalling high-level government support for efforts to improve tomato productivity and reduce seasonal supply fluctuations.

Bred to beat the heat – and disease

Tomatoes are one of Paraguay’s most important horticultural crops, particularly for small-scale and family farmers. National consumption is estimated at approximately 6,000 tons per month, yet domestic production is highly variable. Seasonal shortages can lead to increased imports, while periods of overproduction depress local market prices.

Producing tomatoes during the hot season is especially challenging, as high temperatures and disease pressure significantly reduce yields. As a result, average productivity in Paraguay remains well below that of neighbouring countries.

To address these constraints, WorldVeg and IPTA evaluated heat-tolerant and disease-resistant tomato breeding open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) over several years and across multiple locations. Three OPVs consistently produced higher yields than local varieties, even under heat and disease pressure and matched the required product profile. All three were released in the country this year, each offering slightly different strengths for farmers.

“Make no mistake, these are resilient tomatoes,” said Assaf Eybishtz, Senior Scientist – Tomato Breeding, at WorldVeg. “These heat tolerance varieties keep setting fruit when temperatures rise and diseases hit, instead of giving up. For farmers, that reliability really matters – it means less risk, fewer losses, and a better chance of good harvests even in difficult seasons.”

One of them, tomato AVTO 2128, has what breeders call a “determinate” growth habit, meaning the plant is compact, easy for farmers to manage, and concentrates its fruit production, leading to strong performance and high yields within a short growing period. It produces round-shaped tomatoes weighing about 120 grams each, with a deep red colour linked to naturally high levels of the carotenoid lycopene, a key antioxidant. 

AVTO 2128 is also resistant to two of the most common tomato diseases worldwide: Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) – spread by Bemisia tabaci whiteflies, causing tomato plants to become stunted, with curled, yellowing leaves and little or no fruit; and bacterial wilt – a soil-borne disease that blocks water flow, causing sudden plant collapse and death. TYLCV and bacterial wilt are the biggest production threats for tomatoes, particularly under heat stress.

A second tomato variety, AVTO 1902, has a “semi-determinate” growth habit, with the plant reaching a manageable height while still producing tomatoes over an extended period. Its fruits are larger, firmer, and oblong in shape, averaging 150 grams each. The plant offers a broader package of disease resistance in addition to resistance to TYLCV and BW resistance, including protection against root-knot nematodes – microscopic worms that damage roots, weakening plants and reducing water and nutrient uptake; and Fusarium wilt – another soil-borne fungal disease that blocks water flow, causing plants to wilt and die. AVTO1902’s steady production over a longer period makes it suitable for both fresh markets and processing.

The third variety, AVTO 2123, is another determinate plant, producing uniform oblong fruits of around 130 grams each. What sets it apart is its exceptionally strong resistance to bacterial wilt, combining all seven known resistance genes used against the disease. It also carries genes that intensify fruit colour and boost lycopene content, helping maintain quality even in disease-prone environments.

Tomato variety AVTO2123, growing at trials at WorldVeg headquarters in Tainan, Taiwan. Pics by Neil Palmer (WorldVeg).

Together, the three varieties give farmers more options to cope with heat, disease and unpredictable seasons. Officials expect that wider adoption will help reduce seasonal shortages and stabilise tomato production, supporting a more reliable supply for Paraguayan consumers throughout the year.

“Improved tomato varieties with enhanced heat tolerance can extend the growing season in hot environments, increasing year-round availability and making tomatoes more affordable during the hot season. ” said Roland Schafleitner of WorldVeg, who heads the organization’s Latin America & the Caribbean regional office, which opened last year. “At the same time, the incorporation of disease resistance reduces reliance on chemical spraying, lowering risks to farmers and the environment while delivering safer, healthier products to consumers.

By working with national partners like IPTA to evaluate and test  breeding lines under real field conditions, and select the best varieties for release and promotion to farmers, WorldVeg breeding helps farmers stay productive as the climate changes – while strengthening local food supplies and livelihoods.”

Officials expect that adoption of the new varieties will help reduce seasonal production gaps and improve yield stability. With improved genetics now in farmers’ hands, Paraguay is moving toward a more consistent and reliable domestic tomato supply throughout the year.