Monthly trade report
Uruguay trade: March 2026
Uruguay imported US$1.40 billion of goods in March 2026, up 33.2% from February 2026 and up 28.9% from March 2025, according to Uruguay customs (DNA) data compiled by CargoFax.
ImportsExports
- Imports, March 2026
- US$1.40 billion
- Exports, March 2026
- US$893 million
- Trade balance, March 2026
- -US$507 million
Imports reached US$1.40 billion in March, the highest monthly total since January 2016
At US$1.40 billion, March 2026 was Uruguay's largest import month since January 2016, when this series begins: up 33.2% from February and 28.9% from March 2025. Crude petroleum (HS 2709) rose 68.5% to US$241 million, and passenger cars (HS 8703) rose 39.8% to US$90.3 million, also the highest since January 2016. Purchases from the United States reached US$223 million, 86.8% above a year earlier, and China stayed first with US$305 million, 21.8% of the total.
Customs exports (excluding free zones) moved far less, edging up 2.1% to US$893 million, though that was 17.3% above March 2025. Wood (HS 44) reached US$131 million, its highest since January 2016, with logs (HS 4403) up 24.4%. Concentrated milk (HS 0402) broke a five-month decline, rising 64.6% to US$60.1 million. Wheat went the other way, falling from US$59.9 million to US$4.23 million. Shipments to the Netherlands doubled to US$63.4 million.
The gap between the two flows widened the trade deficit to US$507 million. For the first quarter as a whole, imports totaled US$3.33 billion, up 5.2% from a year earlier, and exports US$2.60 billion, up 11.0%.
What the data shows: a strong month for fuel and car purchases produced the largest import total in the series, while exports grew more slowly. The quarter's totals are more moderate than March alone suggests.
Month at a glance
| Metric | March 2026 | February 2026 | Change | March 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Import value (US$, CIF) | 1,400,699,327 | 1,051,443,850 | +33.2% | 1,086,762,671 | +28.9% |
| Export value (US$, FOB) | 893,298,402 | 874,443,352 | +2.2% | 761,665,735 | +17.3% |
| Trade balance (exports minus imports, US$) | -507,400,925 | -177,000,498 | -325,096,936 | ||
| Import weight (tonnes) | 970,140 | 701,481 | +38.3% | 649,695 | +49.3% |
| Export weight (tonnes) | 1,797,655 | 1,677,543 | +7.2% | 1,727,632 | +4.1% |
| Import records | 126,167 | 103,570 | +21.8% | 116,271 | +8.5% |
| Export records | 11,832 | 10,550 | +12.2% | 10,810 | +9.5% |
| Importers | 5,255 | 4,887 | +7.5% | 5,011 | +4.9% |
| Exporters | 678 | 574 | +18.1% | 598 | +13.4% |
How does the month compare with the last three months, the quarter, and the year?
| Period | Total | Prior period | vs prior period | Same period last year | vs same period last year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imports Last 3 months Jan – Mar '26 | 3,329,456,214 | 3,516,035,540 Oct – Dec '25 | -5.3% | 3,165,174,354 | +5.2% |
| Imports Quarter to date Jan – Mar '26 | 3,329,456,214 | 3,516,035,540 Oct – Dec '25 | -5.3% | 3,165,174,354 | +5.2% |
| Imports Year to date Jan – Mar '26 | 3,329,456,214 | 3,165,174,354 Jan – Mar '25 | +5.2% | 3,165,174,354 | +5.2% |
| Exports Last 3 months Jan – Mar '26 | 2,596,056,918 | 2,670,702,596 Oct – Dec '25 | -2.8% | 2,339,754,634 | +11.0% |
| Exports Quarter to date Jan – Mar '26 | 2,596,056,918 | 2,670,702,596 Oct – Dec '25 | -2.8% | 2,339,754,634 | +11.0% |
| Exports Year to date Jan – Mar '26 | 2,596,056,918 | 2,339,754,634 Jan – Mar '25 | +11.0% | 2,339,754,634 | +11.0% |
Imports: What did Uruguay import in March 2026?
By HS chapter
| HS | Category | Value (US$) | Share | vs Feb 2026 | vs Mar 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | Mineral fuels and oils | 255,738,157 | 18.3% | +22.1% | +23.7% |
| 87 | Vehicles and parts | 174,584,675 | 12.5% | +24.9% | +17.7% |
| 84 | Machinery and computers | 135,924,761 | 9.7% | +48.2% | +19.7% |
| 85 | Electrical equipment | 96,028,745 | 6.9% | +41.0% | +19.0% |
| 31 | Fertilizers | 62,389,574 | 4.5% | +260.6% | +296.2% |
| 30 | Pharmaceutical products | 52,515,363 | 3.7% | +21.0% | +18.4% |
| 39 | Plastics | 51,445,294 | 3.7% | +45.5% | +37.4% |
| 02 | Meat | 48,867,950 | 3.5% | +35.1% | +37.8% |
| 38 | Miscellaneous chemical products | 29,519,916 | 2.1% | +22.0% | +35.2% |
| 94 | Furniture and lighting | 25,354,299 | 1.8% | +25.6% | +21.0% |
By product (HS4)
| HS | Product | Value (US$) | Share | vs Feb 2026 | vs Mar 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2709 | Crude petroleum | 240,637,219 | 17.2% | +68.5% | +30.9% |
| 8703 | Passenger cars | 90,303,437 | 6.4% | +39.8% | +49.2% |
| 8517 | Phones and network equipment | 34,493,875 | 2.5% | +34.2% | -3.2% |
| 8704 | Trucks and pickups | 32,904,099 | 2.3% | +22.4% | -11.0% |
| 0201 | Beef, fresh or chilled | 29,905,186 | 2.1% | +42.1% | +61.7% |
| 8471 | Computers | 29,710,165 | 2.1% | +158.7% | +227.8% |
| 3002 | Vaccines, blood, and immunological products | 26,057,259 | 1.9% | +51.0% | +39.1% |
| 3105 | Mixed fertilizers | 24,007,781 | 1.7% | +353.9% | +112.7% |
| 3004 | Packaged medicines | 23,444,053 | 1.7% | -1.0% | +1.7% |
| 8708 | Vehicle parts and accessories | 20,355,152 | 1.5% | +38.1% | -13.3% |
Imports: what went up, what went down
Biggest increases
Crude petroleum (HS 2709) rose US$97.8 million from February 2026, the largest increase of any product, to US$241 million.
| HS | Product | Prior month | This month | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2709 | Crude petroleum | 142,789,726 | 240,637,219 | +97,847,493 | +68.5% |
| 8703 | Passenger cars | 64,592,657 | 90,303,437 | +25,710,780 | +39.8% |
| 3105 | Mixed fertilizers | 5,289,256 | 24,007,781 | +18,718,525 | +353.9% |
| 8471 | Computers | 11,485,596 | 29,710,165 | +18,224,569 | +158.7% |
| 3103 | Mineral or chemical, phosphatic | 476,779 | 13,724,256 | +13,247,478 | >+999% |
Biggest decreases
The largest decrease was in refined petroleum fuels (HS 2710), down 92.3% from February 2026.
| HS | Product | Prior month | This month | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2710 | Refined petroleum fuels | 52,387,922 | 4,027,330 | -48,360,592 | -92.3% |
| 8702 | Buses | 14,998,321 | 2,088,517 | -12,909,804 | -86.1% |
| 9801 | Special national tariff items | 14,178,106 | 2,053,200 | -12,124,906 | -85.5% |
| 1515 | Fixed vegetable or microbial fats and oils n.e.c. in... | 7,028,794 | 3,066,736 | -3,962,058 | -56.4% |
| 2716 | Electricity | 5,691,305 | 3,210,815 | -2,480,490 | -43.6% |
Where did Uruguay's imports come from?
| Origin | Value (US$) | Share | vs Feb 2026 | vs Mar 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 305,294,325 | 21.8% | +29.0% | +34.4% |
| Brazil | 262,574,280 | 18.7% | +28.9% | +16.3% |
| United States | 223,275,587 | 15.9% | +57.1% | +86.8% |
| Argentina | 196,016,732 | 14.0% | +104.5% | +29.7% |
| Germany | 33,219,931 | 2.4% | +68.6% | +52.7% |
| Spain | 22,104,417 | 1.6% | +45.2% | +1.4% |
| Paraguay | 21,215,128 | 1.5% | +72.2% | +72.5% |
| Mexico | 21,162,713 | 1.5% | +32.0% | +35.1% |
| Italy | 20,338,893 | 1.5% | -2.0% | +38.1% |
| Turkey | 20,318,655 | 1.5% | +127.8% | +47.9% |
Ports of entry
| Port | Value (US$) | Share | vs Feb 2026 | vs Mar 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montevideo | 585,678,301 | 41.8% | +24.4% | +33.5% |
| Customs office 008 | 240,640,576 | 17.2% | +68.5% | +30.9% |
| Carrasco (airport) | 147,670,642 | 10.5% | +18.9% | +8.3% |
| Customs office 006 | 124,455,551 | 8.9% | +22.5% | +21.2% |
| Customs office 003 | 123,278,776 | 8.8% | +28.5% | +19.1% |
Imports: Which imports grew and declined over the last three months?
Jan 2026 to Mar 2026 compared with Jan 2025 to Mar 2025. Items under 0.5% of the three-month total are left out.
Products
| Grew | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars | 172,265,925 | 221,249,660 | +48,983,735 | +28.4% |
| Refined petroleum fuels | 25,314,724 | 59,841,635 | +34,526,911 | +136.4% |
| Beef, fresh or chilled | 45,462,317 | 72,915,229 | +27,452,913 | +60.4% |
| Nitrogen fertilizers | 8,197,771 | 33,470,796 | +25,273,025 | +308.3% |
| Special national tariff items | 0 | 18,099,563 | +18,099,563 | new |
| Declined | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodworking machine tools | 31,015,546 | 4,349,213 | -26,666,333 | -86.0% |
| Trucks and pickups | 106,656,165 | 84,584,699 | -22,071,467 | -20.7% |
| Electricity | 22,885,320 | 9,446,430 | -13,438,890 | -58.7% |
| Machinery, plant (not domestic), or laboratory equipment | 18,019,650 | 6,547,568 | -11,472,082 | -63.7% |
| Vehicle parts and accessories | 70,721,581 | 61,408,732 | -9,312,849 | -13.2% |
Countries
| Grew | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 225,113,857 | 408,084,662 | +182,970,805 | +81.3% |
| China | 748,357,946 | 823,902,837 | +75,544,892 | +10.1% |
| Netherlands | 12,395,296 | 39,511,117 | +27,115,821 | +218.8% |
| Italy | 52,805,642 | 68,659,882 | +15,854,240 | +30.0% |
| Germany | 67,937,055 | 83,108,253 | +15,171,197 | +22.3% |
| Declined | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 236,500,763 | 71,975,825 | -164,524,938 | -69.6% |
| Finland | 49,065,570 | 8,380,106 | -40,685,465 | -82.9% |
| Argentina | 401,443,086 | 385,952,521 | -15,490,565 | -3.9% |
| Spain | 64,710,150 | 53,351,835 | -11,358,315 | -17.6% |
| Brazil | 655,197,495 | 645,389,449 | -9,808,046 | -1.5% |
What did Uruguay export in March 2026?
By HS chapter
| HS | Category | Value (US$) | Share | vs Feb 2026 | vs Mar 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 | Meat | 249,462,021 | 27.9% | -3.5% | +17.4% |
| 44 | Wood | 131,117,151 | 14.7% | +32.2% | +11.8% |
| 12 | Oil seeds | 97,870,652 | 11.0% | +159.0% | +216.6% |
| 04 | Dairy, eggs, and honey | 79,775,844 | 8.9% | +48.0% | +21.9% |
| 87 | Vehicles and parts | 48,161,980 | 5.4% | +1.7% | +15.4% |
| 10 | Cereals | 35,169,884 | 3.9% | -63.3% | -44.1% |
| 15 | Animal and vegetable fats and oils | 28,864,770 | 3.2% | -21.7% | -6.3% |
| 39 | Plastics | 25,375,158 | 2.8% | +11.1% | +1.0% |
| 51 | Wool | 21,646,228 | 2.4% | +7.9% | +66.4% |
| 30 | Pharmaceutical products | 18,938,930 | 2.1% | +22.2% | +16.6% |
By product (HS4)
| HS | Product | Value (US$) | Share | vs Feb 2026 | vs Mar 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0202 | Beef, frozen | 170,874,042 | 19.1% | -0.3% | +7.2% |
| 4403 | Logs | 88,348,770 | 9.9% | +24.4% | +3.9% |
| 0402 | Milk and cream, concentrated or sweetened | 60,118,984 | 6.7% | +64.6% | +22.0% |
| 0201 | Beef, fresh or chilled | 55,612,769 | 6.2% | -13.2% | +70.9% |
| 1207 | Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, n.e.c. in chapter 12 | 41,282,158 | 4.6% | new | +493.9% |
| 8704 | Trucks and pickups | 34,560,892 | 3.9% | -4.9% | +24.4% |
| 1205 | Rape or colza seeds | 27,898,141 | 3.1% | -18.1% | +991.3% |
| 1006 | Rice | 24,673,019 | 2.8% | -20.1% | +42.4% |
| 1201 | Soybeans | 24,243,006 | 2.7% | new | +39.3% |
| 1517 | Edible mixtures or preparations of animal, vegetable or... | 17,655,699 | 2.0% | +26.6% | +61.1% |
Exports: what went up, what went down
Biggest increases
Exports of milk and cream, concentrated or sweetened (HS 0402) rose US$23.6 million from February 2026, the largest increase of any export product.
| HS | Product | Prior month | This month | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1207 | Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, n.e.c. in chapter 12 | 0 | 41,282,158 | +41,282,158 | new |
| 1201 | Soybeans | 0 | 24,243,006 | +24,243,006 | new |
| 0402 | Milk and cream, concentrated or sweetened | 36,514,683 | 60,118,984 | +23,604,301 | +64.6% |
| 4403 | Logs | 70,993,896 | 88,348,770 | +17,354,874 | +24.4% |
| 4401 | Fuel wood, in logs, billets, twigs, faggots or similar forms | 4,339,489 | 14,135,342 | +9,795,852 | +225.7% |
Biggest decreases
The largest export decrease was in wheat (HS 1001), down 92.9% from February 2026.
| HS | Product | Prior month | This month | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1001 | Wheat | 59,922,555 | 4,233,846 | -55,688,709 | -92.9% |
| 0102 | Live cattle | 45,561,504 | 15,361,061 | -30,200,443 | -66.3% |
| 1107 | Whether or not roasted | 21,085,116 | 10,841,044 | -10,244,073 | -48.6% |
| 9801 | Special national tariff items | 12,220,763 | 2,178,605 | -10,042,158 | -82.2% |
| 0201 | Beef, fresh or chilled | 64,067,035 | 55,612,769 | -8,454,266 | -13.2% |
Where did Uruguay's exports go?
| Destination | Value (US$) | Share | vs Feb 2026 | vs Mar 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 154,351,375 | 17.3% | -6.3% | -2.1% |
| China | 132,056,266 | 14.8% | +24.6% | +26.6% |
| United States | 116,163,646 | 13.0% | +7.6% | +0.3% |
| Uruguayan free zones | 74,377,542 | 8.3% | +7.4% | +6.6% |
| Netherlands | 63,357,685 | 7.1% | +99.91% | +249.8% |
| Argentina | 43,744,660 | 4.9% | +34.4% | +27.6% |
| United Kingdom | 33,637,395 | 3.8% | -15.3% | +370.9% |
| Israel | 27,447,057 | 3.1% | -29.7% | +219.8% |
| Algeria | 25,692,318 | 2.9% | +150.0% | +8.9% |
| Other or unspecified | 24,413,750 | 2.7% | +11.9% | +1.2% |
Customs offices of exit
| Port | Value (US$) | Share | vs Feb 2026 | vs Mar 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montevideo | 540,221,611 | 60.5% | -4.1% | +17.8% |
| Customs office 014 | 93,650,474 | 10.5% | +29.7% | +49.4% |
| Customs office 006 | 91,632,952 | 10.3% | +7.9% | +1.3% |
| Customs office 004 | 45,295,400 | 5.1% | +25.9% | -2.1% |
| Customs office 003 | 37,252,206 | 4.2% | +4.4% | +9.1% |
Exports: Which exports grew and declined over the last three months?
Jan 2026 to Mar 2026 compared with Jan 2025 to Mar 2025. Items under 0.5% of the three-month total are left out.
Products
| Grew | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rape or colza seeds | 49,384,469 | 114,285,069 | +64,900,600 | +131.4% |
| Beef, fresh or chilled | 122,306,867 | 165,304,280 | +42,997,413 | +35.2% |
| Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, n.e.c. in chapter 12 | 6,952,024 | 41,282,160 | +34,330,136 | +493.8% |
| Beef, frozen | 483,237,524 | 509,596,126 | +26,358,602 | +5.5% |
| Barley | 5,031,544 | 25,039,733 | +20,008,189 | +397.7% |
| Declined | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice | 111,062,283 | 90,542,738 | -20,519,545 | -18.5% |
| Whether or not roasted | 61,529,651 | 41,323,341 | -20,206,310 | -32.8% |
| Wheat | 127,831,514 | 109,632,037 | -18,199,477 | -14.2% |
| Milk and cream, concentrated or sweetened | 162,192,564 | 148,148,901 | -14,043,663 | -8.7% |
| Precious (excluding diamond) and semi-precious stone | 18,469,949 | 5,745,004 | -12,724,945 | -68.9% |
Countries
| Grew | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 28,435,339 | 115,404,704 | +86,969,365 | +305.8% |
| Netherlands | 66,400,536 | 118,286,232 | +51,885,696 | +78.1% |
| Israel | 35,237,165 | 86,991,990 | +51,754,826 | +146.9% |
| South Korea | 1,396,848 | 49,840,307 | +48,443,459 | >+999% |
| China | 284,790,778 | 331,968,285 | +47,177,507 | +16.6% |
| Declined | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | 58,552,717 | 36,779,211 | -21,773,506 | -37.2% |
| Saudi Arabia | 28,900,682 | 10,269,931 | -18,630,750 | -64.5% |
| Brazil | 464,027,689 | 445,771,929 | -18,255,760 | -3.9% |
| Morocco | 19,329,221 | 1,904,662 | -17,424,560 | -90.1% |
| Algeria | 75,630,411 | 60,028,369 | -15,602,042 | -20.6% |
Top importers in March 2026
5,255 importers received shipments this month. See who they are, what they bought, and from whom in Explorer.
| # | Importer | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Importer, HS 27 mineral fuels and oils | |
| 2 | Importer, HS 31 fertilizers | |
| 3 | Importer, HS 31 fertilizers | |
| 4 | Importer, HS 85 electrical equipment | |
| 5 | Importer, HS 87 vehicles and parts | |
| 6 | Importer, HS 87 vehicles and parts | |
| 7 | Importer, HS 31 fertilizers | |
| 8 | Importer, HS 84 machinery and computers |
Top exporters in March 2026
678 exporters shipped goods this month. See who they are, what they sold, and to whom in Explorer.
| # | Exporter | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exporter, HS 12 oil seeds | |
| 2 | Exporter, HS 04 dairy, eggs, and honey | |
| 3 | Exporter, HS 02 meat | |
| 4 | Exporter, HS 44 wood | |
| 5 | Exporter, HS 02 meat | |
| 6 | Exporter, HS 02 meat | |
| 7 | Exporter, HS 44 wood | |
| 8 | Exporter, HS 02 meat |
12-month trend
| Month | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2025 | 1,000,357,201 | 936,610,701 | -63,746,500 |
| May 2025 | 1,070,781,136 | 1,033,276,599 | -37,504,536 |
| Jun 2025 | 934,207,875 | 1,081,936,340 | +147,728,465 |
| Jul 2025 | 1,109,703,218 | 1,121,972,459 | +12,269,241 |
| Aug 2025 | 915,430,740 | 1,096,412,112 | +180,981,372 |
| Sep 2025 | 1,290,488,713 | 992,454,277 | -298,034,436 |
| Oct 2025 | 1,300,104,032 | 905,272,008 | -394,832,024 |
| Nov 2025 | 1,091,876,647 | 872,602,903 | -219,273,744 |
| Dec 2025 | 1,124,054,862 | 892,827,685 | -231,227,177 |
| Jan 2026 | 877,313,037 | 828,315,164 | -48,997,873 |
| Feb 2026 | 1,051,443,850 | 874,443,352 | -177,000,498 |
| Mar 2026 | 1,400,699,327 | 893,298,402 | -507,400,925 |
What looks unusual this month?
These changes may reflect a few large shipments, late records, or a classification change rather than a trend. Check them in the records before quoting them.
- Imports: HS 3105 (mixed fertilizers) went from US$5.29 million to US$24.0 million. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- Imports: HS 3103 (mineral or chemical, phosphatic) went from US$477,000 to US$13.7 million. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- Imports: HS 3907 (polyacetals, polyethers, and epoxy resins) went from US$2.61 million to US$9.48 million. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- Imports: HS 1005 (maize) went from US$2.21 million to US$8.86 million. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- Imports: HS 8537 (boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets, bases with...) went from US$1.28 million to US$7.91 million. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- Imports: Electrical equipment (HS 85) reached its highest monthly level since January 2024.
- Imports: Pharmaceutical products (HS 30) reached its highest monthly level since January 2016.
- Imports: Pharmaceutical products (HS 30) reached its highest monthly level since January 2024.
- Imports: Meat (HS 02) reached its highest monthly level since January 2016.
- Imports: Iron or non-alloy steel (HS 7207) appeared at US$706,000 after no records in the previous six months.
- Exports: HS 4401 (fuel wood, in logs, billets, twigs, faggots or similar forms) went from US$4.34 million to US$14.1 million. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- Exports: HS 4418 (builders' joinery and carpentry of wood, including...) went from US$1.45 million to US$4.36 million. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- Exports: Wood (HS 44) reached its highest monthly level since January 2016.
- Exports: Wood (HS 44) reached its highest monthly level since January 2024.
- Exports: Cereals (HS 10) fell to its lowest monthly level since January 2024.
- Exports: Wool (HS 51) reached its highest monthly level since January 2024.
Uruguay trade facts, March 2026
- Uruguay imported US$1.40 billion of goods in March 2026, up 33.2% from February 2026 and up 28.9% from March 2025.
- Crude petroleum (HS 2709) was the top product heading, at US$241 million.
- Crude petroleum (HS 2709) rose US$97.8 million from February 2026, the largest increase of any product, to US$241 million.
- The largest decrease was in refined petroleum fuels (HS 2710), down 92.3% from February 2026.
- The leading origin was China, with 21.8% of import value, ahead of Brazil (18.7%).
- Uruguay recorded a trade deficit of US$507 million in March 2026: exports minus imports.
- Beef, frozen (HS 0202) was the top export heading, at US$171 million.
- Exports of milk and cream, concentrated or sweetened (HS 0402) rose US$23.6 million from February 2026, the largest increase of any export product.
- The largest export decrease was in wheat (HS 1001), down 92.9% from February 2026.
- Brazil was the top destination, taking 17.3% of export value, followed by China at 14.8%.
Methodology
Uruguay customs (DNA) import declarations (DUA). Uruguay customs (DNA) export declarations (DUA), excluding exports from free zones. Import values are declared CIF values in US dollars. Export values are declared FOB values in US dollars. Categories follow the Harmonized System. Records are customs line items; importers are distinct importers with a record in the month. The latest month may be revised as late records arrive. The period table leaves out a comparison that reaches before January 2016, when the series starts, or that includes a month not used as a base. Year to date is compared with the same months a year earlier. Import values are customs values, close to CIF; export values are FOB. Transit operations are excluded. Destination codes 981, 986, and 997 in the export records are not country codes: the goods recorded against them (pulpwood, pulp-mill inputs, and grain) and their customs offices indicate Uruguayan free zones, so they are grouped as "Uruguayan free zones". Customs offices without a published name are shown by their code. Exports from free zones (for example pulp) are not in the DUA file, so these export figures differ from the official export total published by Uruguay XXI in level and trend; use Uruguay XXI for national export totals.
FAQ
Uruguay trade, March 2026: frequently asked questions
How much did Uruguay import in March 2026?
Uruguay imported US$1.40 billion (CIF) in March 2026, up 33.2% from February 2026 and up 28.9% from March 2025, according to CargoFax customs records.
How much did Uruguay export in March 2026?
Uruguay exported US$893 million (FOB) in March 2026, up 2.2% from February 2026 and up 17.3% from March 2025, according to CargoFax customs records.
What does Uruguay import?
In March 2026, Uruguay's largest imports were crude petroleum (HS 2709, US$241 million), passenger cars (HS 8703, US$90.3 million), and phones and network equipment (HS 8517, US$34.5 million). The largest HS chapter was mineral fuels and oils, with 18.3% of the total.
What does Uruguay export?
In March 2026, Uruguay's largest exports were beef, frozen (HS 0202, US$171 million), logs (HS 4403, US$88.3 million), and milk and cream, concentrated or sweetened (HS 0402, US$60.1 million).
Where does Uruguay import from?
The top origin countries for Uruguay's imports in March 2026 were China (21.8%), Brazil (18.7%), and the United States (15.9%), by share of value.
Where does Uruguay export to?
The top destinations for Uruguay's exports in March 2026 were Brazil (17.3%), China (14.8%), and the United States (13.0%).
What is Uruguay's trade balance?
Uruguay recorded a trade deficit of US$507 million in March 2026: exports of US$893 million against imports of US$1.40 billion.
Are Uruguay's imports going up or down?
Uruguay's imports are rising. From January 2026 to March 2026, they totaled US$3.33 billion, up 5.2% from the same months last year. Year to date, Uruguay's imports are up 5.2% from the same period of 2025.
What are Uruguay's main ports of entry?
In March 2026, Uruguay's main points of entry were Montevideo with 41.8%, Customs office 008 with 17.2%, and Carrasco (airport) with 10.5% of imports.
How many companies import into Uruguay?
5,255 distinct importers and 678 distinct exporters appear in Uruguay's customs records for March 2026. Their names are available to subscribers in Atlas Explorer.
Where can I get Uruguay import and export data?
CargoFax publishes this Uruguay trade report free every month. The Uruguay customs records behind it, with company names, HS codes, countries, and ports, are searchable in Atlas Explorer and available in bulk through Files.
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