In 2023, Uruguayan exports of goods totaled US$ 2,911M, with Brazil as the main trading partner.
The Common Market of the South (Mercosur) is, naturally, an important commercial destination for the country and proof of this is that during the year 2023, Uruguayan exports of goods to the partner countries of the economic bloc totaled 2,911 million dollars.
Last year, Mercosur purchases represented 26% of the total exported products, being Brazil as the main trading partner of Uruguay within the economic bloc, according to a recent report by the government agency Uruguay XXI.
75% of shipments to Mercosur were destined for Brazil, reaching 2.186 billion dollars, followed far behind by Argentinawith 20% which meant an income of foreign currency for the country of 590 million dollars. In third place, Paraguay imported from Uruguay about $136 million, contributing the remaining 5%.
The exemptions and benefits that exist in Mercosur for intra-zone trade, as well as several bilateral agreements signed, make it Uruguay export some goods almost entirely to member countries of the bloc, such as lime and cement.
Main destinations for Uruguayan goods in Mercosur
100% of the lime exported by Uruguay In 2023, it was destined for Brazil, while 77% of the cement was destined for Paraguay and the remaining 23% also for Brazil.
98% of rubber exports, 95% of malt exports, 94% of auto parts, 92% of plastics and 89% of cleaning products were also destined for Mercosur.
Argentina bought 73% of petroleum oils and 45% of paints and varnishes, while Brazil kept 67% of the vehicles produced in the Uruguay.
During the last Mercosur Summit, there was progress regarding the reduction of common external tariff (AEC), agreed in July 2022, which authorized member states to apply a 10% reduction in import tariffs for exempted products listed in their respective annexes.
Source: Ambito
