Uruguay Trade Deficit Widens in March

Uruguay’s trade deficit widened to $430.8 million in April 2026 from $130.2 million a year earlier. Imports rose 5.5% year-on-year to $1.15 billion, driven by an 11.3% increase in consumer goods purchases, including a 20.4% jump in vehicle imports. Imports of intermediate goods rose 4.8%, led by a 12.8% increase in food and beverage products. In contrast, capital goods imports fell 7.1%, weighed down by a 19.5% decline in transport equipment purchases. Meanwhile, exports increased 8.2% to $719.8 million, supported by a 14.1% rise in primary product shipments and a 6.1% increase in manufacturing exports. Sales of utilities, however, plunged 47.8%.

Uruguay’s trade deficit widened to $417.3 million in March 2026 from $243.4 million a year earlier, as imports grew faster than exports. Imports surged 28% year-on-year to $1.3 billion, driven by a 30.5% jump in intermediate goods. Purchases of consumer goods rose 27.7%, while capital goods imports increased 15.5%. Meanwhile, exports rose 14.5% to $895.7 million. Sales of utilities climbed 68.3% to $614 million, while exports of primary products increased 20.2% and manufactured goods rose 12.2%.

Uruguay's trade balance rebounded sharply to a $2 million surplus in February 2026 from a $168.6 million deficit a year earlier. Exports rose 12.4% to $917 million, driven by a 6.5% gain in livestock and animal products and a 52.4% surge in vegetal products. Imports fell 7% to $915 million, weighed down by lower capital goods (-35.9%) and intermediate goods (-0.6%) purchases, partially offset by a 0.7% rise in consumer goods imports.