Maize bran, sharps and residues market in Uruguay

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for maize bran, sharps and residues in Uruguay showed considerable fluctuation between 2018 and 2023. After reaching 79 109 tons in 2020, the total market contracted sharply to 61 953 tons in 2021, primarily due to declines in both domestic production and imports. A strong recovery followed, with market volume rising to 87 062 tons by 2023, a new peak for the period. This growth was driven by a significant increase in imports, which reached 53 629 tons in 2023, offsetting a continued decline in local production.

In 2023, alongside the import-driven market expansion, Uruguay saw the launch of the Industrial Platform, a virtual marketplace designed to connect suppliers and users of industrial by-products, including agricultural residues. This initiative aimed to promote a circular economy and improve the valorization of materials like maize bran. Concurrently, concerns were raised about the lack of pesticide residue analysis in genetically modified corn, potentially affecting regulatory oversight and market perception for its by-products.

Entering 2024, a key development was Uruguay's first full-shipment export of corn to South Korea, a milestone that underscored strong external grain demand and likely impacted the domestic availability of milling residues. High domestic corn production, estimated at 3 million tons, also pointed to a substantial generation of by-products. Furthermore, the Extended Producer Responsibility framework established by Law N° 19829 began to influence waste management practices, encouraging more systematic handling and recovery of agricultural and industrial residues.

Production maize bran, sharps and residues in Uruguay

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of maize bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

Uruguay's production of maize bran, sharps, and residues has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 46 827 tonnes, which is 3.9% higher than the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 28.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.7%.

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

Exports maize bran, sharps and residues from Uruguay

Market analysis shows that Uruguay did not export any maize bran, sharps, and residues between 2017 and 2020.

Imports maize bran, sharps and residues to Uruguay

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over this period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 17-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Uruguay imported 32 281 tonnes of maize bran, sharps, and residues, an increase of 8.2% compared to 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 36 100 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 17.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, surging by 1 557.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Paraguay was the dominant source for Uruguay's imports of maize bran, sharps, and residues, accounting for 99.0% of the total volume.

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 market displayed volatility during the observed years. Imports hit their lowest value in 2017 and their highest in 2018, with a 17-fold variation. In 2020, Uruguay's imports of maize bran, sharps, and residues were valued at 6 580 thousand US dollars, a solid increase of 18.6% from 2019. The peak value was in 2018 at 7 237 thousand US dollars. The largest drop was in 2019, down by 23.4%, and the biggest rise was in 2018, jumping by 1 616.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Paraguay was the clear leader in supplying maize bran, sharps, and residues to Uruguay, making up 98.7% of total import value.

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

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