Best and Cheapest Supermarkets in Asunción 2025: Complete Shopping Guide

Updated: June 2025

Navigating the supermarket landscape in Asunción can be overwhelming for newcomers and residents alike. With everything from luxury gourmet stores to budget-friendly wholesale chains, Paraguay's capital offers diverse shopping options to suit every budget and preference. This comprehensive guide breaks down the best and most affordable supermarkets in Asunción for 2025.

Quick Overview: Supermarket Categories by Price

The Cheapest Supermarkets: Best Value for Money

1. Fortis Mayorista - The Ultimate Budget Choice

Price Category: $ (Cheapest) Format: Cash & Carry Wholesale

Fortis Mayorista stands out as the most affordable supermarket option in Asunción, with 6 stores operating in a cash & carry format aimed at businesses and families looking to buy cheaper. Despite having a wholesale format, it's well known among regular consumers.

Key Advantages:

• Volume discounts: Products have a price if you buy a unit, but there is a discount if you buy in volume, thinking of benefiting customers who buy in bulk
• Large product variety: Food, drinks, stationery, drugstore items, cleaning products, garden supplies
• Specialized shopping carts: Normal, children's, and pet carts with large capacity
• Large format products: Designed for companies and large families

Best Shopping Tips:

• Go during the morning or afternoon to avoid the crowds
• Buy in bulk to maximize savings (volume requirements aren't excessive)
• Bring large bags or use their high-capacity carts

Ideal For: Large families, bulk buyers, small business owners, budget-conscious shoppers

2. Local Markets - Mercado de Abasto

Price Category: $ (Very Affordable)

Mercado de Abasto is another popular spot in Asunción for fresh, local products. It's an experience that gives you a glimpse into everyday life in the city and a chance to savor the flavors of Paraguay.

Shopping Tips:

• Visit fruit and vegetable stands for fresh, local produce
• Chat with vendors for the best deals and stories
• Wear comfortable clothes and keep an eye on belongings

Mid-Range Supermarkets: Quality and Convenience

3. Superseis - The Balanced Choice

Price Category: $$ Chain: 30+ stores nationwide

Superseis has more than 30 stores, which makes it one of the most relevant Paraguayan supermarket chains in the country. They are reasonably large stores with all the usual sections of a modern supermarket, parking for vehicles and they also have an online store with home delivery.

Key Features:

• Some locations open 24 hours
• Pioneer in services such as Auto Rápido, Self Checkout and QR payment
• Modern facilities with parking
• Online shopping with delivery

Historical Significance: In 1998, Superseis marked a milestone by opening the first hypermarket in Paraguay, called Hiperseis

Dining Option: Buffet: Monday to Saturday from 12h to 14h, on Sundays from 12h to 15h

4. Stock - The Reliable Chain

Price Category: $$ Chain: 45+ large format stores

From the same owners as Superseis, that is, the Vierci Group that bought the business in 2003, it has more than 45 large format stores (without being a hypermarket) spread throughout the country and has been recognized as a Top brand 7 times by Paraguayan consumers.

Key Features:

• Express format with 24-hour locations
• Wide national coverage
• Shared online platform with Superseis
• Consistent quality and service

Premium Supermarkets: Quality and Selection

5. Casa Rica - The Gourmet Experience

Price Category: $$$ (Premium but competitive) Locations: 3 exclusive stores

Considered a luxury supermarket or "for the rich" by many, it has 3 stores and is characterized by having a very exclusive assortment of products (they have things that you will not find elsewhere) and very careful personal attention.

Reality Check on Pricing: Although it has that "luxury" label, I have personally been able to verify that it is not much more expensive than other supermarkets for basic basket products

Unique Offerings:

• Imported specialties: Great supermarket, on the pricey side but is the only one here that have gourmet ingredients, European products, and more
• Quality meat section: Butcher section is the only one I trusted when I lived in Asuncion
• Best beer selection: Best beer selection in Paraguay. Lots of good imports from Europe and other regions
• Restaurant: El Molinillo with good gastronomic offerings

Customer Experience: Whenever I interact with their staff they're friendlier and more helpful than at competing super markets

Historical Background: Casa Rica began with the arrival of Don Walter Lange, a merchant, and Benedikto Hiebl, a baker, from Germany to Asunción in the 1920s

Convenience Options: 24/7 Shopping

6. Biggie Express - The Emergency Option

Price Category: $$$$ (Most Expensive) Format: 24/7 Convenience stores Locations: 150+ stores

Known as Biggie, it is the most important convenience store chain of supermarkets in Paraguay. There are more than 150 stores that are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

When to Use: Expensive, only recommended when you forgot to buy something & the other stores are already closed

Advantages:

• Always available
• Strategic locations with high traffic
• Often have pharmacies nearby
• Broader selection than typical convenience stores

Shopping Mall Supermarkets

7. Supermarkets in Shopping Centers

Locations: Shopping del Sol, Paseo La Galería

The supermarket inside also looks and feel very fancy, but actually has very competitive prices on a lot of items

Benefits:

• Air conditioning during hot summer days
• Convenient parking
• Combined with other shopping options
• Modern facilities

Cost Comparison: What to Expect

Based on resident experiences:

Overall Cost: Being land-locked, most things have to be imported, which affects final prices

Local vs. Imported:

• Local products: It's very affordable to buy fruits, vegetables, and meat that are locally sourced
• Imported items: Imported products are definitely more expensive
• Specific challenges: Fish is ridiculously expensive and not that good

Monthly Budget: An average grocery budget is around $400/month for a family

Money-Saving Strategies

1. Choose the Right Store for Your Needs

• Bulk items: Fortis Mayorista
• Fresh produce: Local markets
• Regular groceries: Superseis or Stock
• Specialty items: Casa Rica
• Emergency needs: Biggie Express

2. Timing Your Shopping

• Visit Fortis during off-peak hours (morning/afternoon)
• Check store social media for promotions
• Look for Wednesday and Saturday discount days at premium stores

3. Payment and Discounts

• Some stores offer specific bank card discounts
• Casa Rica has special discount days
• Tourist discounts available at some locations

4. Product Selection Tips

• Focus on seasonal local produce for best prices
• Buy meat from trusted sources (Casa Rica's butcher section highly recommended)
• Consider volume purchases at Fortis for non-perishables

What You'll Find vs. What's Hard to Get

Widely Available:

• Fresh local fruits and vegetables
• Quality meats
• Basic household supplies
• Local and imported beers and wines

Limited or Expensive:

• Real maple syrup and cheddar cheese
• Fresh fish (expensive and limited quality)
• Some specific imported brands
• Canned soup is not a common thing here

Final Recommendations by Budget

Ultra Budget: Fortis Mayorista + Local Markets

• Best for: Large families, bulk buyers
• Strategy: Buy non-perishables in bulk at Fortis, fresh produce at markets

Moderate Budget: Superseis or Stock

• Best for: Regular families, convenient shopping
• Strategy: Use for weekly shopping, supplement with market visits

Flexible Budget: Casa Rica for specialties + Superseis for basics

• Best for: Expats, food enthusiasts
• Strategy: Get unique items and quality meat at Casa Rica, basics elsewhere

Convenience Priority: Biggie Express when needed

• Best for: Busy professionals, emergency needs
• Strategy: Use sparingly due to higher prices

The supermarket scene in Asunción offers something for every budget and lifestyle. By understanding the strengths of each chain and shopping strategically, you can enjoy quality food and products while managing costs effectively in Paraguay's vibrant capital.