Oats market in Uruguay

Earlier Report Observations

The oat market in Uruguay showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. Starting at a high of 57 880 t in 2018, supported by macroeconomic stability and the crop's established role in the national economy, the market volume fell sharply to 36 131 t in 2019. A recovery to 44 074 t followed in 2020.

This rebound in 2020 was primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which spurred global demand for oats as a healthy and safe food choice. After a subsequent contraction in 2021, the market expanded strongly to 41 489 t in 2022 and further to 46 747 t in 2023. This sustained growth was fueled by high domestic demand for forage, the integration of oats into regenerative livestock systems, and regional export opportunities created by production delays in Brazil and reduced planting in Argentina.

Throughout the period, the sector was supported by 13 to 15 local processing plants and continuous research into yield and quality. By 2023, oats had become the most profitable winter crop in Uruguay, achieving record prices due to robust domestic demand and its valued role in sustainable farming practices.

Production oats in Uruguay

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of oats, 2017-2020

World map of production of oats, 2017-2020

Uruguay produced 45 483 tonnes of oats in 2020, marking a 30.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 42.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 12.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 52 700 tonnes. In 2019, production experienced its largest decline, dropping by 33.9%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018 with a 64.7% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of oats production in Uruguay reached 29 347 thousand US dollars, representing a 39.5% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, the value of production rose by 44.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 13.2%. The largest decline in value was recorded in 2019 at 27.9%, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2018 with a 44.1% rise.

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

Exports oats from Uruguay

Exports in kind, t

Oats exports from Uruguay have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 3 540 tonnes, which is 16.3% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 146.9%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 35.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, South Africa, and Italy were the leading destinations for Uruguay's oats exports in terms of volume. Germany accounted for 23.8% of exports, South Africa for 19.6%, and Italy for 14.6%. Together, these three countries represented 57.9% of total export 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

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2020, the value of oats exports from Uruguay stood at 2 284 thousand US dollars, showing a significant increase of 24.2% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 807 thousand US dollars, with exports varying by 2.8 times between the high in 2020 and the low in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 11.1%, while the most substantial increase was in 2019 with a 127.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, South Africa, and Japan accounted for the largest share of Uruguay's oats exports in value terms. Germany represented 24.7% of exports, South Africa 14.5%, and Japan 14.3%. Together, these three countries comprised 53.5% of total export 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 oats to Uruguay

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. In 2020, Uruguay's volume of oats imports amounted to 2 131 tonnes, down by 51.1% compared to 2019. The highest import level was recorded in 2018 at 6 636 tonnes, with imports varying by 3.1 times between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2020. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 195.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil remained the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of oats to Uruguay, accounting for 97.0% of total imports in terms of 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

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. In 2020, Uruguay's oats imports stood at 344 thousand US dollars, showing a fall of 49.4% year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 103 thousand US dollars, with imports varying by 3.2 times between the high in 2018 and the low in 2020. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 134.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil concentrated 85.3% of total oats imports to Uruguay in value terms, while the remaining flows were scattered across multiple smaller partners.

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

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