Non coniferous roundwood market in Uruguay

Earlier Report Observations

The Uruguayan non-coniferous roundwood market expanded from 4.3 million cubic meters in 2018 to 5.7 million cubic meters in 2021. This growth was supported by structural changes, including the sale of Weyerhaeuser's operations to an international consortium, which brought new investment focus. The maturation of planted forests under the Second Forestry Law and a 15% increase in roundwood extraction in 2021 further boosted production. During the COVID-19 pandemic, increased demand for structural wood and cladding, along with the introduction of wood pellet manufacturing, sustained domestic consumption.

After a temporary decline to 4.9 million cubic meters in 2022, as more roundwood was directed to supply the new UPM pulp mill in the Durazno Free Zone, the market recovered to 5.7 million cubic meters in 2023. This recovery was driven by a significant rise in production, facilitated by mergers among local sawmills like Aserradero Luis E. Rossi and Nalavip S.A., which expanded product ranges to include dried wood, laminated beams, and phenolic boards. Continuous innovation in products such as phenolic cladding and pellets helped diversify the market offering.

Production non coniferous roundwood in Uruguay

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of non coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

In 2019, Uruguay produced 13 590 thousand cubic meters of non-coniferous roundwood, marking the lowest production level in recent years. Production then increased by 6.4% in 2020, reaching 14 464 thousand cubic meters. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 6.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Uruguay in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of non-coniferous roundwood production in Uruguay was 872.5 million US dollars, showing little change from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 2.5%, while the highest increase occurred in 2019 with a modest 0.1% rise.

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

Exports non coniferous roundwood from Uruguay

Exports in kind, K m³

In 2019, Uruguay's exports of non-coniferous roundwood in volume terms reached their lowest point at 8 983 thousand cubic meters. Exports then rose by 2.5% in 2020 to 9 204 thousand cubic meters. Over the 2017-2020 period, export volumes decreased by 2.1%, averaging an annual decline of 0.7%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 422 thousand cubic meters, while the most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 4.7% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uruguay in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Free Zones consistently dominated Uruguay's non-coniferous roundwood exports in volume, accounting for 96.4% of total export flows throughout 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, M $ US

Uruguay's non-coniferous roundwood exports in value terms declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 555.2 million US dollars, which represents a 4.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 10.2%, with an average annual decline of 3.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Free Zones were the primary destination for Uruguay's non-coniferous roundwood exports in value terms, capturing 96.4% of total export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports non coniferous roundwood to Uruguay

Imports in kind, K m³

In 2018, Uruguay's imports of non-coniferous roundwood in volume terms hit their lowest level at 3 thousand cubic meters, representing a 17.9% decline from the previous year. Imports then surged by 61.9% in 2019 and continued to grow by 55.0% in 2020, reaching 8 thousand cubic meters. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volumes increased by 106%, with an average annual growth rate of 27.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uruguay in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Paraguay was the dominant supplier of non-coniferous roundwood to Uruguay in volume terms, accounting for 89.1% of total imports, while other countries supplied the remaining share.

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, M $ US

In 2018, Uruguay's non-coniferous roundwood imports in value terms reached their lowest point at 1.1 million US dollars, marking a 26.6% decrease from the previous year. Imports then increased for the second consecutive year, rising by 48.5% in 2020 to reach 2.0 million US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 37.4%, with an average annual increase of 11.2%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Uruguay's non-coniferous roundwood imports in value terms showed strong dependence on Paraguay, which accounted for 91.6% of total import flows.

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

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