The exports of goods without counting those of the free zones (ZF) added 802 million dollars in April. According to the latest Foreign Trade report of the Catholic University of Uruguay (UCU). The data means a collapse of 24.7% compared to the same month but in 2022, where foreign sales totaled 1,065 million dollars.
The numbers are even worse if the export of electricity is excluded from the equation. In this case, the number remains in 722 million dollarsa 26% less than the $975 million in April of last year. On the other hand, if everything is included –also the ZF–, the fall is 23% year-on-year.
Among the main destinations that the UCU report highlights –discounting ZF– is Brazil, with more than a quarter (26.3%) of shipments, where exports increased by 10.2%, with a special preponderance of the electric powerthe milk and the malt.
The trade deficit climbed to u$s 911 million
The study also makes a cut of what was the first quarter of 2023where exports without ZF added 3,174 million dollarsa 11.4% less than in the same period of 2022. In that same period, the imports were from 4,086 million dollars (a year-on-year increase of 4.1%).
According to the study center, “the poor performance of exports without free zones and the increase in imports were the determinants” in the notorious increase in the trade deficit in that time, which went from 343 million dollars to $911.7 milliona 165% more.
Despite the fall, beef continues to be the most exported product
The drop in foreign sales in the first four months of the year was mainly caused by the decline in primary products (-18.6%), in a context where the drought generated serious damage and losses for Uruguayan agriculture. The data becomes especially relevant if one takes into account that in April, this type of product represented 62.1% of exports of total assets, not counting ZF.
Although the Frozen beef exports fell 33.5% in the first four months of the year, this was the main product exported in the period (537.1 million dollars). He 64.1% of these shipments went to China, Meanwhile he 15.9% to USA and the 3.3% to Israel.
In that same period, the chapter of raw wood totaled 208.3 million dollars, a 16% more compared to the first quarter of last year. The segment of milk and cream totaled 174.8 million dollars (9% increase).
He rice was one of the products that showed a higher rise (25%) among the segments with the highest incidence. The wool registered an increase of 323%, while the main fall was the wheat, with a 76% less of exports than in the first four months of 2022.
Source: Ambito
