The exports of Uruguay They began 2024 with an increase compared to their performance during 2023, and reached $350 million during the first half of January, which means an increase of more than 40% in the year-on-year comparison.
With a better situation of agro-export sector in climatic terms – last year, the extreme drought already hit the fields and, therefore, production – and a Chinese demand recovery, Uruguayan exports experience a better start than in 2023; which, in addition, suffered the comparison with a record year in placements, such as 2022.
In that sense, and according to the data of the International Business Institute (INI) of the Catholic University of Uruguay (UCU)exports of goods reached 350 million dollars during the first 15 days of January, an amount more than 40% higher than that registered in the same period last year.
“These are very provisional data but they could predict a good performance of exports at the end of the month,” said the INI director. Ignacio Bartesaghi, about it on social networks.
He also clarified that the total was calculated from the export requests reported by the National Customs Directorate (DNA) —so some of these transactions may not be completed—; and that does not contemplate placements from free trade zone and with electrical energy.
It should be remembered that, according to data from Uruguay XXI, exports of goods during January 2023 reached, without free zones, a total of 706 million dollars—2% less than January 2022—; and that the energy export It was already diminished by the lack of water in the country.
2023 was a bad year for exports
The exports of goodsincluding free zones, collapsed by 13% last year in comparison with 2022 (record year), with China once again becoming the main trading partner of the Uruguayaccounting for 22% of total placements.
According to the last Annual Foreign Trade Report 2023 produced by Uruguay XXIneither the external nor the internal context contributed positively to improving the performance of national exports, which were 950 million dollars during the month of December, a negative monthly variation of 6.6% compared to November.
The government agency explains the drop in loans due to the “meager” growth of developed economies, as well as a drop in demand from China and the drop in the price of commodities. At the same time, internally there is added the fierce drought that devastated the countryside, strongly damaging agricultural production.
The cellulose It was one of the outstanding products of the annual balance, since billing showed an increase of 7% due to the greater volumes exported after the start-up of the plant. UPM Paso de los Toros (UPM 2)which made shipments starting in May.
In total, pulp shipments totaled about 2,019 million dollars, about 132 million dollars above what was exported in 2022, where it reached 1,887 million dollars. The European Union (EU) It was the main destination of this product, with a 42% share of the total exported, followed by China at 37%.
Source: Ambito
