Uruguay’s goods exports rise 3% in first five months of 2026

Uruguay’s goods exports continued to grow in 2026. According to the monthly foreign trade report prepared by Uruguay XXI’s Competitive Intelligence Department, goods export requests, including those from free trade zones, totaled US$5.271 billion from January to May, up 3% from the same period last year. Although exports fell 3% year on year in May, the cumulative result kept foreign sales on a positive track.

Exports totaled US$1.142 billion in May. Beef, pulp and soybeans were the country’s main export products during the month and accounted for a significant share of sales abroad. The decline in May was mainly driven by lower beef and pulp exports, which were not enough to offset a 45% increase in soybean sales.

In the year to date, beef remained Uruguay’s top export product, with sales of US$1.054 billion. Pulp ranked second, at US$931 million, while dairy products strengthened their position as the third-largest export category, reaching US$346 million.

Soybeans were one of the strongest performers in May. Exports of the grain reached US$180 million, up 45% from a year earlier, supported by the progress of the harvest and the start of the commercial season.

Dairy exports also posted a strong result, totaling US$85 million in May, a 29% year-on-year increase.

China remained Uruguay’s main export destination in May, with purchases of US$297 million, followed by the European Union and Brazil. Sales to China were led mainly by soybeans, pulp and beef.

Focus of the month: exports by department

The May report also includes an analysis of goods exports by department, showing how export activity is distributed across Uruguay. In 2025, goods exports totaled US$13.494 billion, with Canelones, Colonia and Montevideo accounting for about 45% of the national total. Export profiles vary across departments, reflecting the productive specialization of each region.

Canelones led beef exports, while Montevideo stood out for vehicle sales. Colonia, Durazno and Río Negro had a strong concentration of exports linked to free trade zones and pulp production. Soybeans were the main export product in Soriano, Paysandú and Flores, while rice led exports in eastern and northern departments such as Treinta y Tres, Rocha and Artigas.

The analysis also shows that China, Brazil, the European Union and the United States were the main destinations for exports from Uruguay’s departments, although the product mix varied depending on each region’s production profile.

Source: Uruguay XXI

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