Uruguay: Market for Wood Chips And Particles 2025

Market Size for Wood Chips And Particles in Uruguay

In 2022, the Uruguayan wood chips and particles market decreased by -24.1% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a notable increase. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then contracted rapidly in the following year.

Production of Wood Chips And Particles in Uruguay

In value terms, wood chips and particles production reduced markedly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 253% against the previous year. Wood chips and particles production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Wood Chips And Particles

Exports from Uruguay

In 2022, overseas shipments of wood chips and particles increased by 52% to X cubic meters, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports recorded a moderate increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 168%. The exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, wood chips and particles exports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded measured growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 175% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Portugal (X cubic meters) was the main destination for wood chips and particles exports from Uruguay, with a 67% share of total exports. Moreover, wood chips and particles exports to Portugal exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, China (X cubic meters), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Free Zones (X cubic meters), with a 9.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Portugal totaled +9.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+9.1% per year) and Free Zones (+7.8% per year).

In value terms, Portugal ($X) remains the key foreign market for wood chips and particles exports from Uruguay, comprising 72% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Free Zones, with a 6.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Portugal amounted to +9.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+22,230.4% per year) and Free Zones (+5.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average wood chips and particles export price stood at $X per cubic meter in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average export price increased by 11%. The export price peaked at $X per cubic meter in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Portugal ($X per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to Free Zones ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Portugal (-0.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Imports of Wood Chips And Particles

Imports into Uruguay

In 2022, supplies from abroad of wood chips and particles decreased by -29.8% to X cubic meters, falling for the fourth year in a row after three years of growth. Over the period under review, imports saw a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 120% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X cubic meters in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, wood chips and particles imports declined to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 157%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X cubic meters) constituted the largest supplier of wood chips and particles to Uruguay, accounting for a 73% share of total imports. Moreover, wood chips and particles imports from Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Chile (X cubic meters), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by France (X cubic meters), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Germany stood at +25.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Chile (-22.8% per year) and France (+9.1% per year).

In value terms, Chile ($X), Germany ($X) and France ($X) were the largest wood chips and particles suppliers to Uruguay, together comprising 96% of total imports.

Germany, with a CAGR of +166.7%, saw 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 more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average wood chips and particles import price amounted to $X per cubic meter, growing by 30% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw prominent growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average import price increased by 131% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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 Spain ($X per cubic meter), while the price for Argentina ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+45.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform