Market research

Milk and cream market in Uruguay

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

Production of milk and cream in Uruguay increased steadily from 2 623 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 778 thousand tons in 2021. This growth was supported by the existing territorial concentration of dairy farming and stable industrial processing. The rise accelerated in 2021 when producer prices grew by 15.8% and milk purchasing power improved by 3.6%, providing a direct incentive for higher output.

After peaking in 2021, production began to decline. Output fell to 2 754 thousand tons in 2022 as historically high prices for concentrates and fertilizers raised production costs, while the exit of the company Olam from Uruguay reduced milk collection. By 2023, production dropped further to 2 575 thousand tons, pressured by trade restrictions from Brazil, which sought to limit imports of dairy products from Mercosur, affecting a key export market for Uruguay.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Uruguay
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Uruguay in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Uruguay in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uruguay in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uruguay in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Uruguay, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uruguay in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uruguay in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Uruguay, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uruguay in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uruguay in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Uruguay, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uruguay in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uruguay in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Uruguay, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production milk and cream in Uruguay

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Uruguay's milk and cream production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 704 thousand tons of milk and cream, marking a 1.6% rise compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.4%	1.5%	1.6%	2.5%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, Uruguay's milk and cream production value rebounded in 2020. The output was valued at 1 611 million US dollars, showing a 1.6% increase from the previous year. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 3.6%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 586 million US dollars, with the largest drop occurring in 2018 at 4.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(4.3%)	(0.8%)	1.6%	(1.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports milk and cream from Uruguay

Exports in kind, t

Uruguay's cross-border shipments of milk and cream declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 6 634 tons of milk and cream, representing a sharp contraction of 33.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 46.7%, with an average annual decline of 18.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.6%)	(17.5%)	(33.6%)	(18.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the main markets for Uruguay's milk and cream exports in volume terms were the Philippines, accounting for 40.7% of exports, China with 12.3%, and Argentina at 10.1%. Together, these three countries formed a key cluster, representing 63.1% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Uruguay's milk and cream export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 3 952 thousand US dollars, which is 33.6% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 52.3%, with an average annual decline of 21.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(10.7%)	(19.4%)	(33.6%)	(21.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the principal destinations for Uruguay's milk and cream exports in value terms were the Philippines, with a 38.0% share, China at 11.5%, and Argentina accounting for 10.2%. Collectively, these markets represented 59.7% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports milk and cream to Uruguay

Imports in kind, t

Uruguay's milk and cream import volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 7 443 tons of milk and cream, which is 471.9% higher than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 3 085.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 217.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	223.1%	72.4%	471.9%	217.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Argentina and Brazil dominated Uruguay's milk and cream imports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 98.6% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Uruguay's milk and cream import value rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 4 055 thousand US dollars, which is 398.7% higher than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 1 895.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 171.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	155.7%	56.5%	398.7%	171.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Argentina and Brazil captured the majority of Uruguay's milk and cream imports in value terms, jointly taking 97.7% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io