Uruguay: Market for Printing and Writing Paper 2025

Market Size for Printing and Writing Paper in Uruguay

In 2021, the Uruguayan printing and writing paper market increased by 5.6% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a mild reduction. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Printing and Writing Paper in Uruguay

In value terms, printing and writing paper production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a deep reduction. Printing and writing paper production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Printing and Writing Paper

Exports from Uruguay

In 2022, after six years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of printing and writing paper, when their volume increased by 11% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a precipitous decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 12%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, printing and writing paper exports expanded markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, showed a dramatic decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Argentina (X tons), Free Zones (X tons) and Chile (X tons) were the main destinations of printing and writing paper exports from Uruguay, with a combined 79% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Free Zones (with a CAGR of -3.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, the largest markets for printing and writing paper exported from Uruguay were Argentina ($X), Free Zones ($X) and Chile ($X), together comprising 78% of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, Free Zones, with a CAGR of -1.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Export Prices by Country

The average printing and writing paper export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, approximately mirroring the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a pronounced downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the average export price increased by 1.7% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Paraguay ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Chile ($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 Paraguay (+5.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Printing and Writing Paper

Imports into Uruguay

In 2022, supplies from abroad of printing and writing paper increased by 16% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 47% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, printing and writing paper imports soared to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 41%. Imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Brazil (X tons), Argentina (X tons) and Finland (X tons) were the main suppliers of printing and writing paper imports to Uruguay, together accounting for 67% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Argentina (with a CAGR of +20.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Brazil ($X), Argentina ($X) and Finland ($X) constituted the largest printing and writing paper suppliers to Uruguay, together comprising 68% of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, Argentina, with a CAGR of +18.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average printing and writing paper import price amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -2.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a slight descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the average import price increased by 4.7% against the previous year. 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 China ($X per ton), while the price for Austria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+4.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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