Oranges market in Uruguay

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, orange production in Uruguay increased from 106.9 thousand tons to 115.7 thousand tons, and the market size grew from 67.5 thousand tons to 72.4 thousand tons. This expansion was supported by the confirmed opening of the U.S. market for Uruguayan citrus and the start of significant shipments to China, which created new export opportunities. Additionally, the planting of 3,000 hectares of new orchards with higher-value varieties since 2015 contributed to greater production potential. In 2020, production fell to 88.5 thousand tons and the market shrank to 58.1 thousand tons, before recovering in 2021 to 119.6 thousand tons of production and a market size of 80.8 thousand tons.

In 2022, orange exports sharply contracted to 20.7 thousand tons, particularly to the European Union, while sales to the United States gained importance. This export reduction, alongside stable production of 117.7 thousand tons, led to a significant rise in domestic market volume to 97.1 thousand tons. That same year, the acquisition of the country's main citrus company by a U.S. firm changed ownership in the sector. By 2023, production declined to 105.2 thousand tons and the market size decreased to 81.6 thousand tons, as exports partially recovered to 25.3 thousand tons.

Production oranges in Uruguay

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of oranges, 2017-2020

World map of production of oranges, 2017-2020

In 2019, Uruguay's orange production reached its highest point in recent years, but then dropped sharply by 23.5% to 88.5 thousand tons in 2020. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 32.9% overall, with an average annual decline of 12.5%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production grew by 8.3%.

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

Exports oranges from Uruguay

Exports in kind, t

Uruguay exported 43 594 tons of oranges in 2019, which was the highest level during the period. However, exports then fell by 29.2% to 30 859 tons in 2020. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 23.9% in total, representing an average annual decline of 8.7%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019 at 8.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Spain, and Brazil consistently remained the top destinations for Uruguay's orange exports by volume. The Netherlands accounted for 24.0% of exports, Spain for 20.8%, and Brazil for 14.8%. Together, these three countries represented 59.5% of Uruguay's total orange exports during 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, K $ US

In 2019, the value of Uruguay's orange exports increased by 3.7%, but then declined by 4.2% to 21.821 million US dollars in 2020. Over the full period from 2017 to 2020, export value fell by 16.8%, with an average annual decrease of 5.9%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when export value fell by 16.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Spain, and Brazil were the primary buyers of Uruguayan oranges by value. The Netherlands accounted for 23.0% of export value, Spain for 21.1%, and Brazil for 17.4%. Combined, these three markets represented 61.5% of Uruguay's total orange export value during these years.

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

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

Imports oranges to Uruguay

Imports in kind, t

Uruguay's orange imports showed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. Imports peaked at 718 tons in 2018, then dropped sharply by 53.0% to 337 tons in 2019, before rebounding with a 32.1% increase to 445 tons in 2020. The difference between the highest and lowest levels was 2.1-fold. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018 at 80.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain and Brazil were the main sources of Uruguay's orange imports by volume, together accounting for 80.2% of total imports. The remaining share was distributed among various other markets.

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 value of Uruguay's orange imports reached 519 thousand US dollars in 2018, then fell by 52.9% to 244 thousand in 2019, before increasing by 14.4% to 279 thousand in 2020. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 17.8%, with an average annual decline of 6.3%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018 at 52.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain dominated Uruguay's orange imports by value, accounting for 71.5% of the total. The remaining imports came from a diverse range of smaller suppliers.

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

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