Poultry meat and offal market in Uruguay

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Uruguayan poultry market experienced steady growth, rising from 139 thousand tons to 143 thousand tons. This expansion occurred alongside ongoing bromatological regulations for refrigerated and frozen meats, which set maximum storage temperatures and transport conditions, helping maintain product quality and consumer confidence. During this period, Uruguay's limited access to the international poultry market, dominated by major global suppliers, likely constrained export opportunities, contributing to greater domestic availability and supporting market volume.

A significant surge lifted the market to 161 thousand tons in 2021 and further to 164 thousand tons in 2022. This growth was primarily fueled by a global increase in demand for frozen meat dishes, including poultry, driven by shifting consumer perceptions toward convenience and ease of preparation. The launch of new frozen products, such as ready-to-cook chicken items, directly catered to this trend, expanding consumption. Specific regulations for the placement and storage of meat products in refrigerated and frozen units, which prohibit refreezing and ensure dedicated use for meats, further supported market integrity during this expansion.

In 2023, the market contracted to 150 thousand tons. This decline coincided with a 15% drop in the average export price for Uruguayan beef, making beef more competitive and likely shifting some consumer demand away from poultry. Additionally, the acquisition of the modern meatpacking plant Breeders and Packers Uruguay S.A. (BPU Meat) by Minerva strengthened the beef sector's infrastructure, potentially drawing focus and resources within the meat industry.

Production poultry meat and offal in Uruguay

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

In 2019, Uruguay's poultry meat and offal production reached 140 582 tonnes, showing a modest 1.8% increase. However, this was followed by a slight decline of 1.9% in 2020. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 5.6%, with an average annual decline of 1.9%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 5.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Uruguay's poultry meat and offal production value declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 146.8 million US dollars, which represents an 11.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 15.3%, with an average annual decline of 5.4%.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Uruguay

Exports in kind, t

Uruguay's poultry meat and offal exports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 1 294 tonnes, which marks a dramatic 50.4% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 59.3%, with an average annual decline of 25.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 297 tonnes, representing a 3.7% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Qatar, Congo, and Angola emerged as the primary markets for Uruguay's poultry meat and offal exports in volume terms. Qatar accounted for 29.3% of exports, Congo for 11.9%, and Angola for 9.7%, collectively representing 50.9% 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

Uruguay's poultry meat and offal export value declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, amounting to 1.35 million US dollars, which shows an abrupt 55.0% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 63.5%, with an average annual decline of 28.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 3.885 million US dollars, representing a 5.1% increase from the previous year.

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

The structure of Uruguay's poultry meat and offal exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was relatively diversified. Qatar accounted for 32.0% of export value, Congo for 9.1%, and Argentina for 8.6%, together representing 49.7% of total flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Imports poultry meat and offal to Uruguay

Imports in kind, t

Uruguay's poultry meat and offal imports showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 10.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 3 574 tonnes, indicating a steep 192.4% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 18.7% decrease, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2018, with a 331.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina remained the main suppliers of poultry meat and offal to Uruguay in volume terms. Chile accounted for 48.6% of imports, Brazil for 26.6%, and Argentina for 12.6%, collectively representing 87.8% of total import flows.

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

Uruguay's poultry meat and offal import market showed signs of volatility from 2017 to 2020. Import value dropped to its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 6.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, import value reached 6.897 million US dollars, corresponding to a sharp 111.8% increase from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 16.9% decrease, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018, with a 282.7% rise.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Chile and Brazil remained the primary suppliers of poultry meat and offal to Uruguay in value terms, with a combined share of 82.6% of total imports. Other countries accounted for the remainder of imports during this period.

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

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