Uruguay: Grain Market 2025

Grain Market Size in Uruguay

For the third year in a row, the Uruguayan grain market recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by X% to $X in 2022. In general, consumption recorded a noticeable curtailment. Grain consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Grain Production in Uruguay

In value terms, grain production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The average yield of grain in Uruguay shrank slightly to X tons per ha in 2022, which is down by X% compared with the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, the average grain yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2021, and then declined in the following year. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of grain production in Uruguay shrank modestly to X ha, waning by X% against the previous year's figure. In general, the harvested area continues to indicate a pronounced decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to grain production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Grain Exports

Exports from Uruguay

In 2022, overseas shipments of grain increased by X% to X tons, rising for the fourth year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by X%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, grain exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Free Zones (X tons) was the main destination for grain exports from Uruguay, with a X% share of total exports. Moreover, grain exports to Free Zones exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Venezuela (X tons), fivefold. Brazil (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Free Zones totaled X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Venezuela (X% per year) and Brazil (X% per year).

In value terms, Free Zones ($X) remains the key foreign market for grain exports from Uruguay, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Venezuela ($X), with a X% share of total exports. It was followed by Brazil, with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Free Zones was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Venezuela (X% per year) and Brazil (X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average grain export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of X%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average export price increased by X%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to the Netherlands ($X per ton) and Brazil ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Costa Rica ($X per ton) and Algeria ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Brazil (X%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Grain Imports

Imports into Uruguay

In 2022, overseas purchases of grain increased by X% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, imports enjoyed a tangible increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, grain imports surged to $X in 2022. In general, total imports indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by X% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of X%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Paraguay (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of grain to Uruguay, accounting for a X% share of total imports. Moreover, grain imports from Paraguay exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Argentina (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Paraguay totaled X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Argentina (X% per year) and Brazil (X% per year).

In value terms, Paraguay ($X), Argentina ($X) and Brazil ($X) constituted the largest grain suppliers to Uruguay, with a combined X% share of total imports.

Brazil, with a CAGR of X%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

The average grain import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, falling by X% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a pronounced decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average import price increased by X%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2021, and then contracted significantly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while the price for Brazil ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Paraguay (X%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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