Market research

Sheep and goat meat market in Uruguay

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Uruguayan sheep and goat meat production remained steady at around 35 000 t before jumping to 47 000 t in 2020. This surge was primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which boosted global demand for frozen meat products, and by sustained export demand from China, which became the leading market. Domestic market volume followed a similar path, reaching 32 000 t in 2020.

After peaking near 49 000 t in 2021, production gradually declined to 44 600 t by 2023. The market was shaped by shifting export patterns and domestic regulations. In 2022, a decree on animal welfare likely constrained supply, while a reduction in exports to China temporarily increased domestic market volume to 31 000 t. The following year, industry faced limitations in livestock availability, but gained partial offset through new market access for bone-in meat exports to Israel.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Uruguay
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Uruguay in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Uruguay in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uruguay in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uruguay in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Uruguay, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uruguay in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uruguay in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Uruguay, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uruguay in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uruguay in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Uruguay, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uruguay in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uruguay in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Uruguay, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Uruguay by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production sheep and goat meat in Uruguay

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Uruguay's sheep and goat meat production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 47 278 tonnes, representing a significant 33.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 64.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	21.9%	0.5%	33.9%	18.0%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Uruguay's sheep and goat meat output was valued at 240.1 million US dollars, marking a 22.7% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 54.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 0.6%, while the highest increase was recorded in 2018 at 26.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	26.7%	(0.6%)	22.7%	15.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports sheep and goat meat from Uruguay

Exports in kind, t

Uruguay's sheep and goat meat export volume has expanded for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 14 873 tonnes, up 17.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export volume increased by 31.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	9.3%	2.4%	17.5%	9.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, China and Brazil remained the primary markets for Uruguay's sheep and goat meat exports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 82.9% of total flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Uruguay's sheep and goat meat export value has risen for the third year running. In 2020, exports amounted to 75.534 million US dollars, reflecting a 7.7% year-on-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 24%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 7.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	13.6%	1.3%	7.7%	7.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, Brazil and China dominated Uruguay's sheep and goat meat export structure in value terms, together representing 80.6% of total flows, with other markets forming a long tail.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports sheep and goat meat to Uruguay

Imports in kind, t

In 2019, Uruguay's sheep and goat meat import volume totaled 22 tonnes, showing a slight 1.7% year-on-year decline. Over the 2017-2019 period, imports increased by 22.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.0%. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 22 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 24.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	24.6%	(1.7%)	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates was the leading source for Uruguay's sheep and goat meat imports in volume terms, accounting for 28.8% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Uruguay's sheep and goat meat import value has grown for the second consecutive year. In 2019, imports reached 174 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp 52.3% increase compared to 2018. Between 2017 and 2019, import value surged by 134.1%, equating to an average annual rate of 32.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	53.7%	52.3%	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United Arab Emirates was the top supplier of sheep and goat meat to Uruguay in value terms, representing 20.5% of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io