Sweet potatoe market in Uruguay

Earlier Report Observations

Sweet potato production in Uruguay showed a steady upward trajectory from 80 449 t in 2018 to 82 219 t in 2023, reflecting consistent domestic output. The total market volume, however, experienced more pronounced fluctuations due to variable import levels. It peaked at 86 276 t in 2020 following a surge in imports, then contracted in 2021 before gradually recovering to 84 328 t by 2023.

Import volumes were highly volatile, ranging from a low of 55 t in 2021 to a high of 3 405 t in 2020, directly driving the market's sharp expansion and subsequent correction. Exports remained negligible throughout the period, never exceeding 4 t annually, indicating that the market is primarily domestic.

In 2024, the frozen food sector in Uruguay reported a 163.55% increase in trade activity, which could influence the frozen sweet potato segment. Simultaneously, the government's 'Intelligent List' initiative promoted the consumption of seasonal fruits and vegetables, potentially boosting demand for fresh sweet potatoes. Imports for the year settled at 935 t.

Production sweet potatoe in Uruguay

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

Uruguay's sweet potato production volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 82 874 tonnes of sweet potatoes, marking a 1.4% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 4.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.4%.

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

Exports sweet potatoe from Uruguay

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Uruguay's cross-border shipments of sweet potatoes rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 3 tonnes, representing a 3.0% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 12.1%, with an annualized decline rate of 4.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 8.7% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market structure was highly concentrated, with the United Kingdom accounting for 100.0% of Uruguay's total sweet potato exports in volume terms.

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 exported sweet potatoes worth 6 000 US dollars in 2020, a 14.4% year-on-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 000 US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 7 000 US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 28.9% decrease, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 37.8% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Uruguay's export market showed pronounced dependence on the United Kingdom, which accounted for 100.0% of total sweet potato 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 sweet potatoe to Uruguay

Imports in kind, t

The import market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Imports peaked in 2020 and reached their lowest point in 2017, with a 2 432-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Uruguay imported 3 405 tonnes of sweet potatoes, a 1 064.6% surge compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 73.3% drop, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 78 132.1% rise.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Brazil and Argentina were the key sources for Uruguay's sweet potato imports in volume terms. Brazil accounted for 84.2% of total imports, and Argentina for 15.8%, together making up 100.0% of the 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

The import market demonstrated notable volatility over the observed period. Import values reached their maximum in 2020 and their minimum in 2017, showing a 234-fold shift. In 2020, Uruguay's sweet potato imports were valued at 1 213 000 US dollars, representing a 1 095.0% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019 with a 76.8% decrease, and the largest increase was in 2018 with an 8 361.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil and Argentina together accounted for 100.0% of Uruguay's total sweet potato import value, indicating a highly concentrated market structure.

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

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