Chicken meat and offal market in Uruguay

Earlier Report Observations

The Uruguayan chicken meat and offal market volume expanded from 68 579 t in 2018 to a peak of 83 977 t in 2022. This growth was supported by a consistent increase in domestic production, with processors like Pollos del Uruguay scaling their operations, and by a shift in consumer habits during the COVID-19 pandemic, which raised demand for frozen poultry due to its convenience and longer shelf life.

In 2023, the market volume contracted to 75 951 t. This decline occurred alongside significant corporate investments, including Minerva Foods' acquisition of BPU Meat, which aimed to modernize and increase slaughter capacity, and Marfrig's inauguration of a new hamburger production plant in Tacuarembó, reflecting ongoing industry consolidation and product diversification.

Regulatory developments also shaped the market environment, such as new decrees granting the National Meat Institute (INAC) broader authority over meat product standards, while global trends toward clearer labeling and frozen product innovation influenced market dynamics throughout the period.

Production chicken meat and offal in Uruguay

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

In 2020, Uruguay produced 70 291 tonnes of chicken meat and offal, marking a slight decline of 1.9% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 5.6%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.9%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 5.4% reduction, while the largest increase was seen in 2019, at 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Uruguay in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Uruguay's chicken meat and offal production value has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 73 377 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial year-on-year decrease of 11.0%. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 15.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Uruguay in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports chicken meat and offal from Uruguay

Exports in kind, t

Chicken meat and offal exports from Uruguay have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 294 tonnes, showing a sharp decline of 50.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 59.3%, averaging an annualized rate of -25.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 297 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 3.7% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uruguay in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of chicken meat and offal from Uruguay were Qatar (accounting for 29.3% of exports in kind), Congo (11.9%), and Angola (9.7%). Together, these three countries made up 50.9% of Uruguay's total exports in kind during this period.

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

The value of chicken meat and offal exports from Uruguay has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were recorded at 1 350 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a steep year-on-year drop of 55.0%. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 63.5%, with an annualized rate of -28.5%. The peak value was in 2018 at 3 885 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 5.1% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated Uruguay's chicken meat and offal exports in value terms. Qatar led with 32.0% of export value, followed by Congo at 9.1% and Argentina at 8.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 49.7% of total export value, with numerous smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports chicken meat and offal to Uruguay

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of chicken meat and offal into Uruguay showed irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market. The lowest point was in 2017, while imports peaked in 2020, with a 9.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports reached 3 439 tonnes, a sharp increase of 181.7% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 16.3%, and the most significant rise was in 2018 at 319.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uruguay in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the primary sources for chicken meat and offal imports into Uruguay were Chile (49.5% of imports in kind), Brazil (25.2%), and Argentina (13.0%). Combined, these three countries represented 87.7% of Uruguay's total import flows in kind.

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

The import market for chicken meat and offal in Uruguay displayed an unstable trend over this period. The lowest point was in 2017, with imports reaching their maximum in 2020—a difference of 6.4 times between these years. In 2020, import value stood at 6 478 thousand US dollars, a dramatic increase of 100.0% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 12.4%, while the most substantial rise occurred in 2018 at 266.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Chile and Brazil were the dominant suppliers of chicken meat and offal to Uruguay in value terms, together accounting for 83.0% of total imports. Other partners contributed smaller, less significant shares.

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

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