Wood in the rough market in Uruguay, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The Uruguayan market for wood in the rough expanded significantly from 1,771 thousand tons in 2018 to 2,414 thousand tons in 2023. The initial period was marked by the implementation of Mass Timber construction technology and regulatory changes in 2018, which laid the groundwork for future demand by removing barriers for wood-based building. This was followed by a major boost in 2020 when a landmark 90,000-ton shipment to China and heightened export demand stimulated production, driving the domestic market volume up to 2,431 thousand tons.

Subsequent years saw further industrial development. In 2021, the acquisition and significant investment into the Frutifor sawmill aimed at doubling processing capacity, though increased export volumes led to a temporary contraction in domestic market size. The landscape shifted in 2022 with the operational launch of UPM's second pulp mill, a $3 billion investment that created substantial new demand for wood fiber, helping to stabilize the local market volume around 2,059 thousand tons amid broader sector adjustments.

Growth resumed in 2023, supported by the continued operation of pulp mills and ongoing infrastructure projects linked to the forestry sector. The market volume reached 2,414 thousand tons, aided by government plans to promote wood-framed housing and the sector's integration into the national bioeconomy, which encouraged both production and domestic utilization.

Production wood in the rough in Uruguay

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

In 2020, Uruguay produced 11 684 K t of wood in the rough, marking a 12.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 13.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 5.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of wood in the rough in Uruguay reached 856.0 M $ US, showing a modest 6.9% rise compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 801.1 M $ US, while the peak was in 2018 at 897.5 M $ US. The largest decline took place in 2019, with a drop of 10.7%.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Uruguay

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Uruguay exported 9 258 K t of wood in the rough, representing a 6.1% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 9 274 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 5.9%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, up by 8.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Free Zones remained the leading partner for Uruguay's wood in the rough exports in kind, accounting for 81.6% of total flows. Other markets collectively made up the remainder.

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, M $ US

In 2020, Uruguay's wood in the rough export value reached 678.3 M $ US, reflecting a 1.1% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.8%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 670.7 M $ US, and the highest was in 2018 at 753.8 M $ US. The largest decline was in 2019, down by 11.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, up by 8.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Free Zones dominated Uruguay's wood in the rough exports in value terms, capturing 81.2% of total flows. Other countries accounted for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Uruguay

Imports in kind, K t

Wood in the rough imports into Uruguay increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 5 K t, showing a sharp 41.6% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 41.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.3%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 3 K t, with the largest decline that year at 20.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Paraguay held the dominant position in Uruguay's wood in the rough imports in kind, accounting for 87.3% of total flows. The rest was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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, M $ US

Wood in the rough deliveries to Uruguay increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 2.0 M $ US, reflecting a sudden 48.6% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 37.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.1%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 1.1 M $ US, with the largest decline that year at 26.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Paraguay was nearly the exclusive supplier of wood in the rough to Uruguay, taking 91.3% of total imports in value terms.

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

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