Uruguay: Plastic Bottle Market 2025

Plastic Bottle Market Size in Uruguay

For the eleventh year in a row, the Uruguayan plastic bottle market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 16% to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a strong increase. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Plastic Bottle Production in Uruguay

In value terms, plastic bottle production stood at less than $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern.

Plastic Bottle Exports

Exports from Uruguay

In 2022, the amount of carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics exported from Uruguay totaled X tons, with an increase of 2.5% compared with the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2021 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, plastic bottle exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +22.2% over the period from 2021 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Brazil (X tons) was the main destination for plastic bottle exports from Uruguay, with a 92% share of total exports. Moreover, plastic bottle exports to Brazil exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Chile (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Guyana (X tons), with a 2.3% share.

From 2021 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Brazil amounted to +9.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Chile (-0.0% per year) and Guyana (+24.1% per year).

In value terms, Brazil ($X) remains the key foreign market for carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics exports from Uruguay, comprising 91% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Chile ($X), with a 3.5% share of total exports. It was followed by Guyana, with a 3% share.

From 2021 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Brazil stood at +32.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Chile (+22.8% per year) and Guyana (+23.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average plastic bottle export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 19% against the previous year. Over the last one-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +19.3%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to Guyana ($X per ton) and Argentina ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Chile ($X per ton) and Brazil ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2021 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Argentina (+29.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plastic Bottle Imports

Imports into Uruguay

In 2022, approx. X tons of carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics were imported into Uruguay; with an increase of 128% compared with the year before. In general, imports continue to indicate a resilient expansion. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, plastic bottle imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a significant expansion. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Argentina (X tons) constituted the largest plastic bottle supplier to Uruguay, accounting for a 49% share of total imports. Moreover, plastic bottle imports from Argentina exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), threefold. Chile (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 12% share.

From 2020 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Argentina amounted to +5.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+11.7% per year) and Chile (-7.6% per year).

In value terms, Argentina ($X) constituted the largest supplier of carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics to Uruguay, comprising 49% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($X), with a 20% share of total imports. It was followed by Brazil, with a 9.4% share.

From 2020 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Argentina totaled +17.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+29.1% per year) and Brazil (+21.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average plastic bottle import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 29% against the previous year. Over the period from 2020 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +13.5%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Norway ($X per ton), while the price for Ecuador ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2020 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+18.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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