Paddy rice market in Uruguay

Earlier Report Observations

Paddy rice production in Uruguay fluctuated between 1.20 million and 1.40 million tons from 2018 to 2024. The market volume, reflecting domestic consumption, dipped to 1.03 million tons in 2019 before recovering to 1.18 million tons in 2021. A significant increase in exports in 2022 led to a market volume decrease to 1.11 million tons, despite production nearing 1.40 million tons.

In 2023, production stabilized at 1.37 million tons, underpinned by record-high productivity of around 9,650 kg per hectare. This yield was boosted by the adoption of improved varieties like INIA Merín and favorable international prices, as droughts in major Asian producers such India tightened global supply. For the 2024/25 cycle, the sector gained competitiveness from the abolition of the rice export tax, while a provisional price was set to shield producers from volatile international markets. Public-private irrigation projects also expanded cultivable area, supporting further output growth.

Production paddy rice in Uruguay

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of decline, paddy rice production in Uruguay increased in 2020. The country produced 1 209 K t of paddy rice that year, representing a 0.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 14.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 200 K t, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 11.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, paddy rice production in Uruguay increased in 2020. The output was valued at 376.6 M $ US, marking a 13.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 10.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 333.3 M $ US, and the largest annual decline occurred that same year at 18.5%.

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

Exports paddy rice from Uruguay

Exports in kind, K t

Market behavior showed significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.2-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Uruguay exported 162.8 K t of paddy rice, representing a 6.5% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 174.2 K t, with the largest annual increase occurring that same year at 266.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Venezuela (41.8% of exports in kind), Panama (23.9% of exports in kind), and Mexico (19.9% of exports in kind) remained the primary buyers of paddy rice from Uruguay. Together, these three markets accounted for 85.6% of Uruguay's total paddy rice exports in kind.

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

Paddy rice exports from Uruguay increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. The country exported 50 733 K $ US worth of paddy rice, representing a 4.9% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 313.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 60.5%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Venezuela (40.3% of exports in value terms), Panama (23.5% of exports in value terms), and Mexico (20.1% of exports in value terms) formed the core group of markets for Uruguay's paddy rice exports. Collectively, these three countries represented 83.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Uruguay

Imports in kind, K t

Foreign paddy rice supplies to Uruguay increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. The country imported 0.5 K t of paddy rice, representing a 23.4% year-over-year improvement. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 51.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.3 K t, with the largest annual decline occurring that same year at 63.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Argentina and the United States dominated Uruguay's paddy rice imports in kind, jointly accounting for 93.9% of total import volume. The remaining imports were distributed among smaller 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

Market behavior exhibited considerable volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 3.4-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Uruguay imported approximately 1 415 K $ US worth of paddy rice, marking a sharp 70.5% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum import value was recorded in 2018 at 642 K $ US, with the largest annual decline occurring that same year at 70.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uruguay's import structure in value terms was heavily concentrated on Argentina and the United States, which together accounted for 94.4% of total import value. Other trading partners represented only a small residual portion of imports.

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

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