Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Uruguay, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for raw cane sugar in Uruguay remained stable at approximately 64,500 tons annually. This period was characterized by intense competition between the two main domestic refiners, state-owned ALUR and private Azucarlito, which was exacerbated by low international sugar prices in 2018. The market structure was underpinned by a 35% tariff on imported refined sugar for direct consumption, while raw sugar for domestic processing entered duty-free, sustaining imports primarily from Brazil. During this time, Azucarlito began constructing a new plant for inverted liquid sugar, aiming to innovate and diversify its product offerings.

Market volume rose significantly to 70,000 tons in 2021 and further to 77,100 tons in 2022. This growth was primarily driven by national policies promoting biofuel. Increased demand for sugar cane-based bioethanol for fuel blending emerged in 2021. The key driver was the 2022 mandate that raised the minimum bioethanol blend in gasoline from 2% to 8.5%, which sharply increased demand for sugar cane for ethanol production. While domestic sugar output varied, this policy led to a substantial rise in imports of raw sugar for processing, which reached 52,100 tons in 2022. Concurrently, ALUR continued to advance its sustainable sugar cane program to certify producers to international standards.

In 2023, the market volume contracted to 59,500 tons, representing a 23% decrease from the previous year's peak. Imports fell to 34,500 tons, while domestic production held steady at 25,000 tons.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Uruguay

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, 2017-2020

World map of production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, 2017-2020

In 2020, Uruguay produced 25 000 tonnes of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, maintaining stable production levels compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018 at 0.0%.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Uruguay

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Uruguay exported 0.5 tonnes of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, representing an 8.6% decrease from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom was the exclusive destination for Uruguay's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, accounting for 100.0% of total export volumes.

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 exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form reached 1 000 US dollars in 2020, marking a 12.8% decline compared to 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom served as the primary and nearly sole market for Uruguay's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in value terms, representing 100.0% 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 raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Uruguay

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Uruguay imported {value_last_year} tonnes of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, showing a 0.7% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 0.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 12.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil and Argentina were the dominant sources for Uruguay's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, together accounting for 100.0% of total import volumes.

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

Following a two-year decline, Uruguay's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form rebounded in 2020, reaching 13 632 000 US dollars, which represents a 14.2% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, however, imports decreased by 20.2%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 7.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 11 935 000 US dollars, with the largest decline of 22.6% also occurring in that year.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Brazil and Argentina formed the core of Uruguay's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in value terms, together representing 100.0% of total import value.

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

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