Household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets market in Uruguay

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Uruguayan market for household and sanitary paper underwent notable changes. The Chilean company Softys expanded its local presence through acquisitions in 2018, strengthening its position in the tissue segment. Domestic production, however, started to decline, and market volume fell in 2019 as exports surged. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 shifted consumer priorities, raising demand for hygiene products like paper towels due to health concerns and a move away from hand dryers, alongside bulk purchasing of toilet paper. This increased demand lifted the market volume to 21 045 т, even as production dropped.

From 2021 to 2023, the pandemic's influence on hygiene habits sustained high demand for tissue products. Imports grew consistently, reaching 3 801 т by 2023, offsetting the continued decline in domestic production, which stabilized at 18 000 т. This import growth supported a gradual market recovery, with volume reaching 21 784 т in 2023, still below the 2018 peak but reflecting a market adapting to changed consumption patterns.

Production household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in Uruguay

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2017-2020

World map of production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2017-2020

In Uruguay, production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 20,000 tonnes, marking a moderate decrease of 9.1% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 28.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 10.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in Uruguay has now decreased for two consecutive years. In 2020, the output was valued at 25,940 thousand US dollars, down 11.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 34.6%, averaging an annual decline of 13.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 40,926 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 28.6% drop. The only increase during this period was in 2018, when production rose by 3.2%.

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

Exports household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from Uruguay

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020, after peaking in 2017, with a dramatic 17-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Uruguay exported 203 tonnes of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, which represents a sharp decline of 92.9% from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, when exports surged by 147.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina was the dominant destination for Uruguay's exports in kind, accounting for 91.9% of the total flows.

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

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations over this period. Exports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 19-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Uruguay exported household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets worth 263 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 93.1% compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with exports rising by 108.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, 92.1% of Uruguay's total exports in value terms of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets went to Argentina, making this market overwhelmingly dominant.

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

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

Imports household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to Uruguay

Imports in kind, t

Imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets into Uruguay have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 1,248 tonnes, up 45.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 141.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 34.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Spain, and the United States were consistently the main sources for Uruguay's imports in kind. Brazil accounted for 40.9% of imports, Spain for 36.4%, and the United States for 15.2%, together making up 92.5% 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, Uruguay imported household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets worth 1,273 thousand US dollars, marking a dramatic increase of 54.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 92%, with an average annual growth rate of 24.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, when imports fell by 10.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Spain, Brazil, and Argentina played the leading roles in Uruguay's imports in value terms of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets. Spain accounted for 39.8% of imports, Brazil for 39.2%, and Argentina for 10.0%, jointly representing 89.1% 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