Uruguay sheep meat exports hit decade-low volumes as prices climb
Export values rise as reduced supply tightens the market
URUGUAY – Sheep meat exports from Uruguay have dropped to their lowest level in a decade during the first 16 weeks of the year, reflecting reduced supply even as prices move in the opposite direction.
Data from INAC shows that total export volume reached 3,582 tonnes carcass weight over the period, representing a 27% decline compared to the same timeframe last year.
Despite the fall in shipments, the average export price rose to US$6,515 per tonne, marking a 26% increase year on year as tighter availability influenced market pricing.
When viewed against the average performance for the same 16-week period over the past ten years, current export volumes are 37.5% lower, while the average price per tonne is 40.5% higher, indicating a long-term shift between supply levels and value.
Supply constraints shape pricing
The data reflects a market dynamic where limited product availability pushes prices upward, aligning with broader commodity trends in which reduced supply tends to support higher returns per unit.
Conversely, historical patterns show that when export volumes increase significantly, pricing tends to soften, illustrating the inverse relationship between supply and value in the sector.
2023 highlights contrast
This trend is evident in 2023, when export volumes during the same period exceeded 9,000 tonnes, more than double current levels, while the average price stood at US$3,853 per tonne.
The contrast between 2023 and current figures illustrates how fluctuations in production and export availability continue to shape Uruguay’s sheep meat trade performance, with lower output now coinciding with stronger pricing in international markets.
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