Uruguay goods exports rise 4% in July, led by beef, pulp and dairy

Uruguay goods exports reached US$1.22 billion in July 2026, up 4% from the same month last year, supported by stronger sales of beef, pulp and dairy products despite a sharp decline in soy shipments.

The figures include exports from free trade zones and are based on the latest monthly foreign trade report prepared by the Competitive Intelligence department at Uruguay XXI.

With the July result, Uruguay’s exports totaled US$7.82 billion from January to July, 2% higher than in the same period of 2025.

Beef was Uruguay’s leading export product in July, with sales of US$280 million, up 25% year over year. The product accounted for 23% of total exports during the month.

Export volume also increased, rising 8% to 34,256 tonnes. The stronger rise in value than in volume reflected favorable international prices for Uruguayan beef in 2026.

China remained the main destination for Uruguay’s beef exports, with purchases of US$87 million, up 17% from July 2025. The United States followed with US$77 million, a 33% increase. The European Union received US$47 million, down 1%, while Israel doubled its purchases to US$25 million.

Pulp ranked second among export products, with sales of US$143 million, up 12% year over year. The destination mix changed during the month, with the European Union becoming the leading market. EU purchases reached US$61 million, up 75%, while China bought US$51 million, down 27%. South Korea posted the strongest relative increase, with purchases rising 313% to US$10 million.

Dairy products were the third-largest export category, with sales of US$95 million, up 31% from July 2025. The sector shipped to more than 55 destinations, with Brazil standing out as the main market. Dairy exports to Brazil reached US$31 million, a 50% increase.

Beverage concentrates also posted growth, reaching US$86 million in July, up 18%.

Soy was the main negative contributor. Exports fell 57% to US$86 million, compared with US$199 million in July 2025. The decline was closely tied to China, where Uruguayan soy shipments dropped 68%.

Outside the five main export categories, Uruguay recorded higher sales of live cattle, wood and meat byproducts, while exports of rice and vehicles declined.

According to foreign trade data available on the DataLiner platform, Uruguay’s containerized exports reached 89,911 TEUs year to date, up 10% from the same period a year earlier. The chart below provides a month-by-month breakdown:

Containerized Exports | Uruguay | Jan-Jun | 2022-2026 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Europe and United States increase purchases

China remained Uruguay’s largest export destination in July, with purchases of US$235 million and a 19% share of total exports. However, sales to China fell 35% year over year, as higher beef exports failed to offset lower soy and pulp shipments. Beef, soy and pulp accounted for 83% of Uruguay’s exports to the Asian market.

Brazil ranked second, with purchases of US$190 million, up 13% from July 2025. Vehicles led Uruguay’s exports to Brazil, while dairy products, plastics and beverage concentrates also contributed to the increase.

The European Union posted the strongest growth among Uruguay’s top three destinations. Exports to the bloc jumped 42% to US$174 million. The export basket included more than 40 products and was led by pulp, followed by beef, rice, wood and soy.

The United States ranked fourth, with purchases of US$134 million, up 33%, driven mainly by beef, as well as higher citrus and wood shipments.

Turkey completed the top five destinations, with purchases of US$64 million, up 60%, largely explained by live cattle exports.

For exporters, shipping companies and logistics operators, the July figures show that Uruguay goods exports remain supported by animal protein, forestry and dairy flows, even as soy continues to weigh on overall performance. The stronger role of the EU and the United States also points to a more diversified destination mix for high-value Uruguayan products.

Source: Uruguay XXI

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