Alcoholic beer market in Uruguay

Earlier Report Observations

The Uruguayan alcoholic beer market expanded from 130.3 million liters in 2018 to 138.7 million liters in 2020, driven primarily by the rapid growth of the craft beer segment. Demand for craft beer surged by an estimated 24% in 2019 compared to the previous year, fueled by the multiplication of craft breweries and the opening of new bars across the country. The market stabilized in 2020 as the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global alcoholic beverages sector, particularly the on-trade channel, was partially offset by a continued global shift in consumer preferences toward authentic, sustainably produced craft beers.

A sharp recovery and expansion followed, with market volume jumping to 210.1 million liters by 2022. This dramatic growth was propelled by the post-pandemic rebound in global beverage consumption and the maturation of local craft beer enterprises that began commercializing their products around this period. Furthermore, in 2022, the approval of a bill to promote, regulate, and support artisanal beer production in Uruguay, which aimed to improve the sector's competitiveness through differentiated labor and tax regulations, provided additional impetus for market expansion.

Growth continued in 2023, with the market reaching 218.4 million liters. This was supported by two concurrent trends: a rising consumer preference for imported beers, often in single-use cans and bottles, which increased import volumes, and a growing demand for craft beers and beers with lower alcohol content, reflecting a broader shift toward healthier and more varied options. During this year, the implementation of Law 19855, which introduced mandatory seller registration, preventive labeling messages, and stricter rules for advertising and promotion, reshaped the market's regulatory environment.

Production alcoholic beer in Uruguay

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

Uruguay's alcoholic beer production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 104.0 million liters of alcoholic beer, representing a slight uptick of 2.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 3%, which equates to an annualized growth rate of 1.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Uruguay in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Exports alcoholic beer from Uruguay

Exports in kind, K l

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019, then hit their maximum in 2017 — a fluctuation of 7.7 times between these years. In 2020, Uruguay's volume of alcoholic beer exports totaled 951 thousand liters, equivalent to a small gain of 2.3% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 930 thousand liters, while the largest decline of 71.1% also occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uruguay in kind, 2017-2020, K l

Throughout 2017–2020, two countries — Brazil and Paraguay — concentrated most of Uruguay's alcoholic beer exports in kind, while other markets were less significant individually.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Uruguay in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Exported alcoholic beer volumes from Uruguay declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 317 thousand US dollars, which is 56.7% lower compared with 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 78.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -40.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uruguay in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, Brazil remained the main destination for exports in value terms, accounting for 82.8% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed across various smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Uruguay in value, 2017-2020

Imports alcoholic beer to Uruguay

Imports in kind, K l

After a two-year gain, alcoholic beer deliveries to Uruguay declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 35 626 thousand liters, equivalent to a moderate drop of 4.1% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 16%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 37 134 thousand liters, while the largest increase of 14.9% also occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uruguay in kind, 2017-2020, K l

In 2017–2020, the leading destinations for imports in kind of alcoholic beer to Uruguay were Argentina (42.5% of imports in kind), Brazil (29.7% of imports in kind), and Mexico (16.1% of imports in kind), which jointly accounted for 88.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Uruguay in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, alcoholic beer imports to Uruguay amounted to 21 617 thousand US dollars, marking a moderate gain of 6.6% year-over-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 8.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 6.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 8.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uruguay in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2017–2020, the leading destinations for imports in value terms of alcoholic beer to Uruguay were Argentina (43.0% of imports in value terms), Brazil (26.8% of imports in value terms), and Mexico (14.8% of imports in value terms), which jointly accounted for 84.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Uruguay in value, 2017-2020