Uruguay: Container Market 2025

Container Market Size in Uruguay

For the third consecutive year, the Uruguayan container market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 10% to $X in 2022. In general, the total consumption indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +44.0% against 2019 indices. Container consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Container Production in Uruguay

In value terms, container production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% over the period 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 2013 when the production volume increased by 61%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Container Exports

Exports from Uruguay

In 2022, shipments abroad of tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers decreased by -29.9% to X units, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports showed a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 157%. The exports peaked at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, container exports contracted markedly to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 169% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Israel (X units), Free Zones (X units) and Switzerland (X units) were the main destinations of container exports from Uruguay, with a combined 85% share of total exports. Paraguay, the United States, Argentina and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 12%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +44.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Free Zones ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers exports from Uruguay, comprising 50% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Paraguay ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by Israel, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Free Zones amounted to +11.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Paraguay (+1.5% per year) and Israel (+11.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average container export price stood at $X per unit in 2022, waning by -35.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 58%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2015 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Paraguay (+11.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Container Imports

Imports into Uruguay

For the third consecutive year, Uruguay recorded growth in supplies from abroad of tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers, which increased by 1.9% to X units in 2022. Overall, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, container imports expanded sharply to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Brazil (X units), Argentina (X units) and China (X units) were the main suppliers of container imports to Uruguay, together comprising 91% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Brazil (with a CAGR of +8.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest container suppliers to Uruguay were Brazil ($X), Argentina ($X) and China ($X), with a combined 86% share of total imports. Chile, Germany and Paraguay lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 4.4%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Chile, with a CAGR of +11.0%, saw 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

The average container import price stood at $X per unit in 2022, rising by 11% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 28%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain 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 Chile ($X per unit), while the price for Paraguay ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Paraguay (+7.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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