Uruguay: Meat imports grew 23 percent year-on-year in the first half of the year
Uruguay imported 18,854 tons of meat during the first half of the year, representing a 23% increase compared to the volumes purchased abroad in the same period in 2024.
The data comes from the Penta-Transaction company and is in line with information also held by the National Meat Institute (INAC), which indicates that between January and May, consumption of imported meat in the country grew by 16%. In contrast, consumption of domestic meat fell by 2.5%.
In this regard, the Association of Meat Distributors and Importers of Uruguay (Adicu) believes the increase in imported meat is also due to a rise in domestic consumption. In the first half of 2024, 15,332 tons entered the domestic market from abroad, while between January and June of this year, the figure was 18,854 tons.
"We believe that imported meat will continue to play a leading role in this second half of the year," said Jorge López, president of Adicu. The trade policy measures being taken by U.S. President Donald Trump, such as the threat of imposing a 50% tariff on imports from Brazil, "already give us an indication that we will have better deals for Uruguayans in the second half of the year", he asserted.
Regarding the figures, López noted that while imported meat increased by 23%, domestic meat consumption only decreased by between 2.5% and 3%. "This means that all markets were served, and in turn, the domestic market was able to continue the trend of continued growth in red meat consumption seen over the past two years", he explained. In this regard, Adicu highlighted the role of imports of this essential product in enabling Uruguayans to "maintain their consumption of animal protein at affordable prices".
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