Monthly trade report
Uruguay trade: May 2026
Imports into Uruguay totaled US$1.02 billion in May 2026, down 16.3% from April 2026 and down 4.9% from May 2025, according to Uruguay customs (DNA) data compiled by CargoFax.
ImportsExports
- Imports, May 2026
- US$1.02 billion
- Exports, May 2026
- US$1.00 billion
- Trade balance, May 2026
- -US$15.1 million
Soybean shipments more than doubled in May and the trade deficit nearly closed
Soybeans (HS 1201) became Uruguay's largest export in May 2026 at US$242 million, up 115.3% from April and 7.0% from May 2025. The progression is steep: nothing in February, US$24.2 million in March, US$112 million in April and US$242 million in May. Beef recovered too: frozen beef (HS 0202) rose 25.9% to US$152 million and fresh beef (HS 0201) 67.2% to US$62.7 million, though both remained below their May 2025 levels. Concentrated milk rose 41.5%. Total customs exports (excluding free zones) climbed 16.7% to US$1.00 billion, 2.9% below a year earlier. Sales to the Uruguayan free zones reached US$182 million, the highest since January 2016.
Imports declined 16.3% to US$1.02 billion, 4.9% below May 2025. No crude petroleum was recorded this month, after US$196 million in April, which most likely reflects the timing of cargoes. Passenger cars (HS 8703) rose 11.3% to US$78.4 million, 50.7% above a year earlier, and China supplied 26.3% of the total.
With exports nearly matching imports, the trade deficit narrowed to US$13.4 million. Year to date, exports stood at US$4.46 billion (up 3.5%) and imports at US$5.56 billion (up 6.3%).
What the data shows: May's near-even balance came with peak soybean shipments and a month without crude arrivals. Neither is likely to repeat every month, so the balance may not last.
Month at a glance
| Metric | May 2026 | April 2026 | Change | May 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Import value (US$, CIF) | 1,018,598,075 | 1,216,518,054 | -16.3% | 1,070,781,136 | -4.9% |
| Export value (US$, FOB) | 1,003,538,936 | 859,880,063 | +16.7% | 1,033,276,599 | -2.9% |
| Trade balance (exports minus imports, US$) | -15,059,139 | -356,637,991 | -37,504,536 | ||
| Import weight (tonnes) | 467,967 | 743,819 | -37.1% | 693,596 | -32.5% |
| Export weight (tonnes) | 2,128,444 | 1,865,889 | +14.1% | 2,186,701 | -2.7% |
| Import records | 109,626 | 119,009 | -7.9% | 125,896 | -12.9% |
| Export records | 11,357 | 10,434 | +8.8% | 11,894 | -4.5% |
| Importers | 4,477 | 4,967 | -9.9% | 4,973 | -10.0% |
| Exporters | 649 | 650 | -0.2% | 630 | +3.0% |
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 Mar – May '26 | 3,635,815,456 | 3,052,811,749 Dec '25 – Feb '26 | +19.1% | 3,157,901,008 | +15.1% |
| Imports Quarter to date Apr – May '26 | 2,235,116,129 | 1,928,756,887 Jan – Feb '26 | +15.9% | 2,071,138,337 | +7.9% |
| Imports Year to date Jan – May '26 | 5,564,572,343 | 5,236,312,691 Jan – May '25 | +6.3% | 5,236,312,691 | +6.3% |
| Exports Last 3 months Mar – May '26 | 2,756,717,400 | 2,595,586,202 Dec '25 – Feb '26 | +6.2% | 2,731,553,035 | +0.9% |
| Exports Quarter to date Apr – May '26 | 1,863,418,999 | 1,702,758,517 Jan – Feb '26 | +9.4% | 1,969,887,300 | -5.4% |
| Exports Year to date Jan – May '26 | 4,459,475,917 | 4,309,641,934 Jan – May '25 | +3.5% | 4,309,641,934 | +3.5% |
Imports: What did Uruguay import in May 2026?
By HS chapter
| HS | Category | Value (US$) | Share | vs Apr 2026 | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87 | Vehicles and parts | 160,286,159 | 15.7% | -7.1% | +10.6% |
| 84 | Machinery and computers | 132,308,743 | 13.0% | +31.7% | +23.3% |
| 85 | Electrical equipment | 101,472,054 | 10.0% | +10.9% | +52.3% |
| 30 | Pharmaceutical products | 46,228,703 | 4.5% | +7.2% | +31.3% |
| 39 | Plastics | 42,456,639 | 4.2% | +0.1% | -6.8% |
| 02 | Meat | 37,942,179 | 3.7% | -13.4% | +4.0% |
| 31 | Fertilizers | 35,994,885 | 3.5% | -15.6% | -24.7% |
| 38 | Miscellaneous chemical products | 31,691,775 | 3.1% | +23.4% | -14.0% |
| 23 | Food industry residues and animal feed | 20,596,175 | 2.0% | +9.2% | +10.9% |
| 90 | Optical and medical instruments | 20,336,692 | 2.0% | +9.2% | +22.8% |
By product (HS4)
| HS | Product | Value (US$) | Share | vs Apr 2026 | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8703 | Passenger cars | 78,369,422 | 7.7% | +11.3% | +50.7% |
| 8517 | Phones and network equipment | 33,687,328 | 3.3% | -18.6% | +69.9% |
| 8704 | Trucks and pickups | 31,638,846 | 3.1% | -8.3% | +13.2% |
| 8708 | Vehicle parts and accessories | 25,272,097 | 2.5% | +21.6% | -35.2% |
| 3004 | Packaged medicines | 23,361,439 | 2.3% | -5.9% | +13.7% |
| 8501 | Electric motors and generators (excluding generating sets) | 20,881,317 | 2.1% | >+999% | >+999% |
| 3002 | Vaccines, blood, and immunological products | 20,406,045 | 2.0% | +25.9% | +71.4% |
| 8465 | Woodworking machine tools | 20,006,743 | 2.0% | >+999% | +336.1% |
| 0201 | Beef, fresh or chilled | 19,925,086 | 2.0% | -20.0% | -0.3% |
| 3808 | Pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides | 16,361,434 | 1.6% | +28.1% | -24.8% |
Imports: what went up, what went down
Biggest increases
Passenger cars (HS 8703) added US$7.94 million compared with April 2026, more than any other product heading.
| HS | Product | Prior month | This month | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8501 | Electric motors and generators (excluding generating sets) | 746,115 | 20,881,317 | +20,135,202 | >+999% |
| 8465 | Woodworking machine tools | 1,007,346 | 20,006,743 | +18,999,397 | >+999% |
| 9508 | Travelling circuses and travelling menageries, amusement... | 593,309 | 11,820,556 | +11,227,248 | >+999% |
| 8428 | Lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery | 2,985,401 | 12,551,110 | +9,565,709 | +320.4% |
| 8703 | Passenger cars | 70,433,884 | 78,369,422 | +7,935,538 | +11.3% |
Biggest decreases
Buses (HS 8702) had the largest decline, US$15.8 million less than in April 2026.
| HS | Product | Prior month | This month | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2709 | Crude petroleum | 196,063,211 | 0 | -196,063,211 | -100.0% |
| 8702 | Buses | 18,799,584 | 3,022,510 | -15,777,074 | -83.9% |
| 8517 | Phones and network equipment | 41,382,274 | 33,687,328 | -7,694,945 | -18.6% |
| 8701 | (other than tractors of heading no 8709) | 16,043,454 | 10,550,215 | -5,493,239 | -34.2% |
| 0201 | Beef, fresh or chilled | 24,894,981 | 19,925,086 | -4,969,894 | -20.0% |
Where did Uruguay's imports come from?
| Origin | Value (US$) | Share | vs Apr 2026 | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 267,896,565 | 26.3% | -9.4% | +32.5% |
| Brazil | 218,382,288 | 21.4% | -35.5% | -3.5% |
| Argentina | 109,148,767 | 10.7% | -44.6% | +5.3% |
| United States | 54,688,692 | 5.4% | +5.2% | -52.7% |
| Germany | 53,295,042 | 5.2% | +85.3% | +128.3% |
| Spain | 31,517,402 | 3.1% | +55.4% | +63.7% |
| Italy | 22,111,294 | 2.2% | +7.1% | +0.7% |
| Paraguay | 19,601,230 | 1.9% | -13.7% | +49.8% |
| France | 17,367,537 | 1.7% | +5.5% | -31.1% |
| Mexico | 16,526,220 | 1.6% | -3.2% | -17.5% |
Ports of entry
| Port | Value (US$) | Share | vs Apr 2026 | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montevideo | 534,973,556 | 52.5% | +7.1% | +14.8% |
| Carrasco (airport) | 136,624,860 | 13.4% | -2.3% | +22.5% |
| Customs office 003 | 110,570,558 | 10.9% | -1.6% | +4.2% |
| Customs office 006 | 106,946,315 | 10.5% | -1.7% | +3.8% |
| Customs office 004 | 49,302,361 | 4.8% | -0.7% | -14.8% |
Imports: Which imports grew and declined over the last three months?
Mar 2026 to May 2026 compared with Mar 2025 to May 2025. Items under 0.5% of the three-month total are left out.
Products
| Grew | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars | 170,388,789 | 239,106,744 | +68,717,955 | +40.3% |
| Crude petroleum | 389,083,776 | 436,700,430 | +47,616,653 | +12.2% |
| Phones and network equipment | 76,211,813 | 109,563,477 | +33,351,664 | +43.8% |
| Computers | 28,497,808 | 55,585,204 | +27,087,396 | +95.1% |
| Mineral or chemical, phosphatic | 4,945,194 | 30,272,117 | +25,326,923 | +512.2% |
| Declined | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 25,877,487 | 3,455,405 | -22,422,082 | -86.6% |
| Polyacetals, polyethers, and epoxy resins | 35,465,067 | 20,381,091 | -15,083,976 | -42.5% |
| Vehicle parts and accessories | 81,288,816 | 66,401,759 | -14,887,056 | -18.3% |
| Refined petroleum fuels | 27,071,132 | 12,266,635 | -14,804,497 | -54.7% |
| Mixed fertilizers | 58,505,651 | 48,229,986 | -10,275,664 | -17.6% |
Countries
| Grew | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 651,135,871 | 868,969,450 | +217,833,578 | +33.5% |
| Argentina | 358,856,697 | 502,311,319 | +143,454,622 | +40.0% |
| Brazil | 683,367,181 | 819,376,999 | +136,009,818 | +19.9% |
| Germany | 71,605,876 | 115,272,266 | +43,666,390 | +61.0% |
| Paraguay | 36,345,322 | 63,540,219 | +27,194,896 | +74.8% |
| Declined | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 153,961,516 | 7 | -153,961,509 | -100.0% |
| United States | 354,767,145 | 329,956,284 | -24,810,862 | -7.0% |
| Sweden | 20,149,688 | 7,245,230 | -12,904,458 | -64.0% |
| Finland | 25,351,727 | 12,878,266 | -12,473,461 | -49.2% |
| Turkey | 50,837,455 | 39,825,581 | -11,011,874 | -21.7% |
What did Uruguay export in May 2026?
By HS chapter
| HS | Category | Value (US$) | Share | vs Apr 2026 | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Oil seeds | 245,474,336 | 24.5% | +106.6% | +7.7% |
| 02 | Meat | 235,235,196 | 23.4% | +34.9% | -12.1% |
| 44 | Wood | 120,127,774 | 12.0% | +7.1% | +3.6% |
| 04 | Dairy, eggs, and honey | 89,015,058 | 8.9% | +33.1% | +31.5% |
| 87 | Vehicles and parts | 38,613,163 | 3.8% | -14.0% | -17.1% |
| 15 | Animal and vegetable fats and oils | 36,884,978 | 3.7% | +22.7% | +4.5% |
| 10 | Cereals | 36,662,858 | 3.7% | -39.3% | -46.1% |
| 39 | Plastics | 28,176,034 | 2.8% | +1.7% | +18.4% |
| 30 | Pharmaceutical products | 19,835,220 | 2.0% | +12.7% | +16.2% |
| 51 | Wool | 17,088,445 | 1.7% | -10.4% | +40.5% |
By product (HS4)
| HS | Product | Value (US$) | Share | vs Apr 2026 | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1201 | Soybeans | 241,808,635 | 24.1% | +115.3% | +7.0% |
| 0202 | Beef, frozen | 151,557,927 | 15.1% | +25.9% | -14.0% |
| 4403 | Logs | 84,022,584 | 8.4% | -1.9% | +1.5% |
| 0402 | Milk and cream, concentrated or sweetened | 70,355,626 | 7.0% | +41.5% | +34.7% |
| 0201 | Beef, fresh or chilled | 62,748,196 | 6.3% | +67.2% | -10.6% |
| 1006 | Rice | 36,422,109 | 3.6% | -18.7% | -35.6% |
| 8704 | Trucks and pickups | 31,245,037 | 3.1% | -2.0% | +8.4% |
| 4407 | Wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled,... | 17,055,429 | 1.7% | +2.5% | +4.9% |
| 3923 | Plastic packaging | 14,361,172 | 1.4% | -6.6% | +4.2% |
| 1517 | Edible mixtures or preparations of animal, vegetable or... | 13,944,280 | 1.4% | -7.6% | -5.7% |
Exports: what went up, what went down
Biggest increases
Exports of soybeans (HS 1201) rose US$129 million from April 2026, the largest increase of any export product.
| HS | Product | Prior month | This month | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1201 | Soybeans | 112,332,747 | 241,808,635 | +129,475,887 | +115.3% |
| 0202 | Beef, frozen | 120,414,220 | 151,557,927 | +31,143,707 | +25.9% |
| 0201 | Beef, fresh or chilled | 37,525,702 | 62,748,196 | +25,222,494 | +67.2% |
| 0402 | Milk and cream, concentrated or sweetened | 49,723,384 | 70,355,626 | +20,632,242 | +41.5% |
| 4401 | Fuel wood, in logs, billets, twigs, faggots or similar forms | 722,072 | 9,599,488 | +8,877,417 | >+999% |
Biggest decreases
The largest export decrease was in live cattle (HS 0102), down 68.9% from April 2026.
| HS | Product | Prior month | This month | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0102 | Live cattle | 34,112,816 | 10,619,313 | -23,493,503 | -68.9% |
| 1107 | Whether or not roasted | 25,142,998 | 7,868,785 | -17,274,213 | -68.7% |
| 2716 | Electricity | 10,969,338 | 1,201,353 | -9,767,985 | -89.0% |
| 1003 | Barley | 9,619,030 | 252 | -9,618,778 | -100.0% |
| 1006 | Rice | 44,802,489 | 36,422,109 | -8,380,380 | -18.7% |
Where did Uruguay's exports go?
| Destination | Value (US$) | Share | vs Apr 2026 | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 196,266,652 | 19.6% | +58.9% | -5.8% |
| Uruguayan free zones | 181,990,008 | 18.1% | +25.6% | +38.2% |
| Brazil | 148,472,373 | 14.8% | -5.2% | +12.6% |
| United States | 103,508,024 | 10.3% | +26.2% | -9.1% |
| Argentina | 39,782,113 | 4.0% | -25.7% | +1.3% |
| Netherlands | 32,580,607 | 3.2% | +97.0% | -34.0% |
| Algeria | 27,960,865 | 2.8% | +26.4% | -9.9% |
| Other or unspecified | 24,618,792 | 2.5% | +9.1% | +4.1% |
| Egypt | 20,515,902 | 2.0% | +216.0% | +120.9% |
| Mexico | 19,024,451 | 1.9% | -43.9% | -43.9% |
Customs offices of exit
| Port | Value (US$) | Share | vs Apr 2026 | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montevideo | 590,491,303 | 58.8% | +23.2% | -3.9% |
| Customs office 014 | 152,030,652 | 15.1% | +21.7% | -16.8% |
| Customs office 006 | 92,815,997 | 9.2% | -4.3% | +11.5% |
| Customs office 004 | 57,265,294 | 5.7% | +32.2% | +22.3% |
| Customs office 003 | 31,431,745 | 3.1% | -0.2% | -0.5% |
Exports: Which exports grew and declined over the last three months?
Mar 2026 to May 2026 compared with Mar 2025 to May 2025. Items under 0.5% of the three-month total are left out.
Products
| Grew | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, n.e.c. in chapter 12 | 6,951,287 | 41,284,198 | +34,332,911 | +493.9% |
| Milk and cream, concentrated or sweetened | 146,623,576 | 180,197,994 | +33,574,418 | +22.9% |
| Rape or colza seeds | 3,693,786 | 32,606,639 | +28,912,853 | +782.7% |
| Logs | 241,362,183 | 258,043,212 | +16,681,030 | +6.9% |
| Electricity | 4,506,686 | 15,795,063 | +11,288,377 | +250.5% |
| Declined | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beef, frozen | 508,460,362 | 442,846,188 | -65,614,173 | -12.9% |
| Wheat | 71,493,288 | 10,126,372 | -61,366,916 | -85.8% |
| Buses | 36,971,718 | 20,615,559 | -16,356,159 | -44.2% |
| Precious (excluding diamond) and semi-precious stone | 23,253,832 | 7,495,672 | -15,758,160 | -67.8% |
| Soybeans | 393,899,785 | 378,384,388 | -15,515,396 | -3.9% |
Countries
| Grew | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uruguayan free zones | 304,564,140 | 401,266,199 | +96,702,060 | +31.8% |
| Israel | 21,336,537 | 53,050,213 | +31,713,676 | +148.6% |
| Argentina | 110,953,234 | 137,055,539 | +26,102,305 | +23.5% |
| Mexico | 48,732,350 | 74,693,580 | +25,961,230 | +53.3% |
| Netherlands | 93,612,677 | 112,474,655 | +18,861,977 | +20.1% |
| Declined | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 363,368,436 | 301,701,367 | -61,667,069 | -17.0% |
| China | 499,108,359 | 451,867,391 | -47,240,968 | -9.5% |
| Turkey | 82,681,092 | 36,763,668 | -45,917,424 | -55.5% |
| Belgium | 26,457,057 | 11,564,551 | -14,892,506 | -56.3% |
| Italy | 42,499,786 | 30,626,178 | -11,873,608 | -27.9% |
Top importers in May 2026
4,477 importers received shipments this month. See who they are, what they bought, and from whom in Explorer.
| # | Importer | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Importer, HS 84 machinery and computers | |
| 2 | Importer, HS 85 electrical equipment | |
| 3 | Importer, HS 85 electrical equipment | |
| 4 | Importer, HS 87 vehicles and parts | |
| 5 | Importer, HS 27 mineral fuels and oils | |
| 6 | Importer, HS 31 fertilizers | |
| 7 | Importer, HS 95 toys and sports goods | |
| 8 | Importer, HS 87 vehicles and parts |
Top exporters in May 2026
649 exporters shipped goods this month. See who they are, what they sold, and to whom in Explorer.
| # | Exporter | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exporter, HS 04 dairy, eggs, and honey | |
| 2 | Exporter, HS 12 oil seeds | |
| 3 | Exporter, HS 12 oil seeds | |
| 4 | Exporter, HS 02 meat | |
| 5 | Exporter, HS 44 wood | |
| 6 | Exporter, HS 12 oil seeds | |
| 7 | Exporter, HS 12 oil seeds | |
| 8 | Exporter, HS 02 meat |
12-month trend
| Month | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Apr 2026 | 1,216,518,054 | 859,880,063 | -356,637,991 |
| May 2026 | 1,018,598,075 | 1,003,538,936 | -15,059,139 |
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 2709 (crude petroleum) fell to zero from US$196 million. This may reflect late records or a classification change.
- Imports: HS 8501 (electric motors and generators (excluding generating sets)) went from US$746,000 to US$20.9 million. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- Imports: HS 8465 (woodworking machine tools) went from US$1.01 million to US$20.0 million. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- Imports: HS 8428 (lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery) went from US$2.99 million to US$12.6 million. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- Imports: HS 9508 (travelling circuses and travelling menageries, amusement...) went from US$593,000 to US$11.8 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: Toys and sports goods (HS 95) reached its highest monthly level since January 2016.
- Imports: Toys and sports goods (HS 95) reached its highest monthly level since January 2024.
- Imports: Miscellaneous food preparations (HS 21) reached its highest monthly level since January 2016.
- Exports: HS 0805 (citrus fruit) went from US$1.74 million to US$10.3 million. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- Exports: HS 1514 (rape, colza or mustard oil and their fractions) went from US$1.37 million to US$10.1 million. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- Exports: HS 4401 (fuel wood, in logs, billets, twigs, faggots or similar forms) went from US$722,000 to US$9.60 million. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- Exports: HS 2522 (quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime) went from US$85,200 to US$984,000. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- Exports: Rape, colza or mustard oil and their fractions (HS 1514) reached its highest monthly level since January 2024.
- Exports: Natural (HS 0409) reached its highest monthly level since January 2024.
- Exports: Cheese and curd (HS 0406) fell to its lowest monthly level since January 2016.
- Exports: Cheese and curd (HS 0406) fell to its lowest monthly level since January 2024.
Uruguay trade facts, May 2026
- Imports into Uruguay totaled US$1.02 billion in May 2026, down 16.3% from April 2026 and down 4.9% from May 2025.
- The largest single product was passenger cars (HS 8703) at US$78.4 million.
- Passenger cars (HS 8703) added US$7.94 million compared with April 2026, more than any other product heading.
- Buses (HS 8702) had the largest decline, US$15.8 million less than in April 2026.
- China supplied 26.3% of import value, more than any other origin; Brazil was second at 21.4%.
- Uruguay recorded a trade deficit of US$15.1 million in May 2026: exports minus imports.
- Soybeans (HS 1201) was the top export heading, at US$242 million.
- Exports of soybeans (HS 1201) rose US$129 million from April 2026, the largest increase of any export product.
- The largest export decrease was in live cattle (HS 0102), down 68.9% from April 2026.
- China was the top destination, taking 19.6% of export value, followed by Uruguayan free zones at 18.1%.
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, May 2026: frequently asked questions
How much did Uruguay import in May 2026?
Uruguay imported US$1.02 billion (CIF) in May 2026, down 16.3% from April 2026 and down 4.9% from May 2025, according to CargoFax customs records.
How much did Uruguay export in May 2026?
Uruguay exported US$1.00 billion (FOB) in May 2026, up 16.7% from April 2026 and down 2.9% from May 2025, according to CargoFax customs records.
What does Uruguay import?
In May 2026, Uruguay's largest imports were passenger cars (HS 8703, US$78.4 million), phones and network equipment (HS 8517, US$33.7 million), and trucks and pickups (HS 8704, US$31.6 million). The largest HS chapter was vehicles and parts, with 15.7% of the total.
What does Uruguay export?
In May 2026, Uruguay's largest exports were soybeans (HS 1201, US$242 million), beef, frozen (HS 0202, US$152 million), and logs (HS 4403, US$84.0 million).
Where does Uruguay import from?
The top origin countries for Uruguay's imports in May 2026 were China (26.3%), Brazil (21.4%), and Argentina (10.7%), by share of value.
Where does Uruguay export to?
The top destinations for Uruguay's exports in May 2026 were China (19.6%), Uruguayan free zones (18.1%), and Brazil (14.8%).
What is Uruguay's trade balance?
Uruguay recorded a trade deficit of US$15.1 million in May 2026: exports of US$1.00 billion against imports of US$1.02 billion.
Are Uruguay's imports going up or down?
Uruguay's imports are rising. From March 2026 to May 2026, they totaled US$3.64 billion, up 15.1% from the same months last year. Year to date, Uruguay's imports are up 6.3% from the same period of 2025.
What are Uruguay's main ports of entry?
In May 2026, Uruguay's main points of entry were Montevideo with 52.5%, Carrasco (airport) with 13.4%, and Customs office 003 with 10.9% of imports.
How many companies import into Uruguay?
4,477 distinct importers and 649 distinct exporters appear in Uruguay's customs records for May 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.
Get started
Get the full records
Search every Uruguay shipment by importer, product, and origin in Atlas.