Uruguay: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Uruguay

The Uruguayan lamb and sheep meat market surged to $X in 2021, picking up by 17% against the previous year. In general, consumption showed a buoyant expansion. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Uruguay

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production rose remarkably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +70.8% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 36% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

In 2021, the average yield of lamb and sheep meat in Uruguay contracted rapidly to X kg per head, waning by -25.1% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the yield increased by 66%. The lamb and sheep meat yield peaked at X kg per head in 2020, and then dropped remarkably in the following year.

In 2021, the number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Uruguay surged to X heads, increasing by 36% against the previous year's figure. Overall, the number of producing animals, however, recorded a pronounced contraction. Over the period under review, this number reached the maximum level at X heads in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, producing animals stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports from Uruguay

In 2021, the amount of lamb and sheep meat exported from Uruguay dropped to X tons, falling by -6.7% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports saw a mild reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 46% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports reached $X in 2021. Overall, exports recorded a mild curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 27%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

China (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Canada (X tons) were the main destinations of lamb and sheep meat exports from Uruguay, with a combined 51% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Canada (with a CAGR of +34.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, the largest markets for lamb and sheep meat exported from Uruguay were China ($X), Brazil ($X) and Canada ($X), together comprising 57% of total exports.

Canada, with a CAGR of +40.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

The average lamb and sheep meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 7.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to China (+4.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports into Uruguay

In 2021, overseas purchases of lamb and sheep meat decreased by -13.1% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed a perceptible expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 242% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports contracted to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted a slight increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 204%. Imports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United States (X tons) constituted the largest lamb and sheep meat supplier to Uruguay, accounting for a 80% share of total imports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat imports from the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Norway (X tons), twofold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the United States stood at -1.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Norway (+88,240.0% per year) and Germany (-1.8% per year).

In value terms, the largest lamb and sheep meat suppliers to Uruguay were the United States ($X), Norway ($X) and Germany ($X).

Norway, with a CAGR of +29,312.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 lamb and sheep meat import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 4.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 25%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+2.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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