Rapeseed, colza or mustard oil and fractions market in Uruguay

Earlier Report Observations

Uruguay's rapeseed oil production began to climb from 10 200 tons in 2018, reaching 10 600 tons the following year. This initial growth coincided with a major expansion of the crop's planted area, which doubled from 125 000 to 280 000 hectares, driven by favorable prices and margins linked to rising global oil prices.

Production accelerated sharply from 2020 onward, surging to 57 600 tons by 2023. This boom was primarily driven by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which destabilized global vegetable oil supply and created new export opportunities. Uruguay actively boosted its processing capacity and targeted exports to Europe, particularly the United Kingdom. At the same time, growing worldwide demand for healthier edible oils like rapeseed oil provided further support for production.

While production and exports grew rapidly, domestic market volume showed more moderate movement. It peaked at 14 350 tons in 2020 but then fluctuated between 12 000 and 13 800 tons as an increasing share of output was directed abroad. By 2023, exports had reached 45 650 tons, which explains why local consumption did not keep pace with the expansion in production.

Production rapeseed, colza or mustard oil and fractions in Uruguay

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of rapeseed, colza or mustard oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of rapeseed, colza or mustard oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Uruguay's production of rapeseed, colza, or mustard oil and fractions has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 17 700 tonnes, marking a sharp rise of 67.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 29.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.9%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 10 200 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 25.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of rapeseed, colza, or mustard oil and fractions production in Uruguay has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 15 175 thousand US dollars, representing a significant increase of 56.1% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 3.2%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 1.1%. The minimum value occurred in 2018 at 9 291 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 36.8%.

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

Exports rapeseed, colza or mustard oil and fractions from Uruguay

Exports in kind, t

Uruguay's exports of rapeseed, colza, or mustard oil and fractions have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 3 434 tonnes, showing a dramatic surge of 1 055.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 1 512.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 152.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil dominated the geographical pattern of exports in kind, accounting for 88.5% of total flows, while other partners held relatively minor shares.

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 value of Uruguay's rapeseed, colza, or mustard oil and fractions exports has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 2 944 thousand US dollars, reflecting an abrupt gain of 980.6% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value rose by 1 188.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 134.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the dominant partner in export value terms, holding an 87.1% share of total flows, with other markets having comparatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports rapeseed, colza or mustard oil and fractions to Uruguay

Imports in kind, t

The import market for rapeseed, colza, or mustard oil and fractions in Uruguay showed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 52 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 69.4%. In 2019, imports saw the largest increase of 136.6%. By 2020, imported volumes totaled 84 tonnes, a decrease of 31.7% from the previous year. Overall, there was a 3.3-fold variation between the maximum in 2017 and the minimum in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Paraguay, Brazil, and Canada—together accounted for 84.5% of total imports in kind of rapeseed, colza, or mustard oil and fractions to Uruguay.

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

In 2020, the value of rapeseed, colza, or mustard oil and fractions imports to Uruguay amounted to 124 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a strong decrease of 22.0% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 34.2%, with a compound annual decline rate of 13.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 103 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 45.4%. In 2019, imports experienced the largest increase of 54.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Brazil (35.3% of import value), Canada (21.6%), and Belgium (20.4%) formed the key group of partners for imports in value terms of rapeseed, colza, or mustard oil and fractions to Uruguay, jointly representing 77.3% of total flows.

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

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