Uruguay's Pig Industry Outlook 2024

According to preliminary data from DICOSE statements, as of June 2024 , Uruguay had 108,083 pigs distributed among approximately 2,925 pork producers.

The departments of Canelones (33%) and San José (27%) account for 60% of the country's pigs.

Of the total livestock, 20.1% are sows (21,723) and 2.3% are boars (2,504), and the remaining 77.6% arepiglets and sows.

Slaughter and production

In 2024, 138,691 pigs were slaughtered, which is 1.9% more than in 2023 (136,149 pigs).

The establishments where slaughter was carried out in 2024 were Noesma SA (50%), Tribicar (42%), Arroyal SA (5%) and Matadero los Olivos (3%).

Pork production in 2024 is estimated to be 9,916 tonnes (t), assuming an average carcass weight of 71.5 kg, representing an increase of 2.1% over the previous year (9,708 t).

International trade

According to the results of 2024, pork imports amounted to 47,171 tons, which is 3.8% lower than the 49,011 tons recorded in 2023.

With a share of 96.1% (45,350 t) , Brazil was the main supplier of imported pork in 2024. Paraguay and Argentina ranked second and third with 950 and 531 t, respectively.

The products imported in 2024 corresponded to other frozen MEAT (96.3%) and other fresh chilled meat (3.7%).

Uruguay's pork exports are not very significant. In 2024, only 29 tons were recorded, up 38.1% from the 21 tons recorded in 2023. Graph 3. Evolution of Uruguay's pork imports over the past 5 years, annual fluctuations. Prepared by 333 Latin America using data from the OPYPA 2024 Yearbook and INAC.

Consumption

Apparent consumption in 2024 is estimated at 57,058 t, down 2.8% from 2023, partly due to lower imports.

Last year, imports accounted for 83% of apparent pork consumption, with the remaining 17% coming from domestic production.

Over the past 10 years, per capita pork consumption in Uruguay has increased from 16 kg per capita in 2015 to almost 23 kg per capita in 2024.