Citrus fruit market in Uruguay

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the Uruguayan citrus fruit market volume grew from 353 K t to 400 K t, driven by increased production. This expansion was supported by strategic access to the US market under a zero-tariff regime, which incentivized growers to plant new hectares with high-value varieties and adopt agri-intelligent technology for better traceability and quality. Participation in the Fruit Logistica trade fair further strengthened international recognition of Uruguayan citrus.

In 2020, consumer demand for citrus fruits rose temporarily due to perceived health benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, market volume fell to 361 K t as production declined. By 2021, production rebounded sharply to 598 K t, lifting market volume to a record 501 K t. This recovery reflected the cumulative effect of prior investments in new plantings and improved production techniques aimed at self-sufficiency and export growth.

Market volume eased to 492 K t in 2022 and 404 K t in 2023, despite the government's inclusion of citrus fruits in the 'Smart List' program to encourage healthy consumption. The decline was linked to lower production outputs, although export revenues rose by 45% in 2023, indicating stronger international prices for Uruguayan citrus.

Production citrus fruit in Uruguay

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

In 2020, Uruguay produced 437.3 thousand tons of citrus fruit, marking a 9.9% year-over-year decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 17.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 433.7 thousand tons. That same year saw the largest decline of 17.9%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 11.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Citrus fruit production in Uruguay increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, with output valued at 385.0 million US dollars, reflecting a robust 14.3% rise compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 14.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 5.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 319.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 28.8%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Uruguay

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Uruguay's citrus fruit exports amounted to 78 138 tons, down 10.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 13.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 5.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—the United States, the Netherlands, and Spain—together absorbed 57.1% of Uruguay's total citrus fruit exports in volume terms.

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

After a two-year decline, citrus fruit exports from Uruguay increased in 2020, reaching 68 791 thousand US dollars, a strong 13.7% rise compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 10.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 60 505 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline of 21.0% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (35.4% of export value), the Netherlands (16.1%), and Brazil (11.2%) formed the main group of destinations for Uruguay's citrus fruit exports in value terms, together accounting for 62.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Uruguay

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, imported citrus fruit volumes in Uruguay increased in 2020, reaching 2 055 tons, up 21.7% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 689 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 18.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for citrus fruit imports to Uruguay in volume terms were Spain (26.6% of imports), Brazil (24.7%), and Bolivia (14.8%), jointly accounting for 66.1% 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

After a two-year drop, Uruguay's citrus fruit import value increased in 2020, amounting to 1 649 thousand US dollars, an 11.2% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 27.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 10.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 483 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 22.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (29.2% of import value), Brazil (19.6%), and Bolivia (16.9%) continued to be the main suppliers of citrus fruit to Uruguay, jointly forming 65.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

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