Uruguay Industry Expands in December

Uruguay’s manufacturing output rose 7.4% year-on-year in December 2025, after remaining flat in the previous month. Food production made the largest positive contribution, increasing 17.0%, while paper and paper products rose 17.1%. In contrast, chemicals recorded the biggest decline, falling 26.0%. Rubber and plastics dropped 12.4%, and leather products decreased 25.4%. The index of hours worked increased 1.1%, while the number of employed personnel fell 3.1%. For 2025 as a whole, industrial output rose 2.7%.

Uruguay’s manufacturing output was essentially unchanged egding 0.002% lower year-on-year in November 2025, following a 5.3% decline in October. The downward pressure came from paper and paper products (-14.0%), followed by products of rubber and plastic (-12.3%) and products derived from metal, excluding machinery and equipment (-17.1%). In contrast, production rose in beverages (+11.6%), chemicals (+10.2%), and machinery and equipment, which increased 28.8%. Labor indicators also weakened: the Hours Worked Index fell 1.8% and the Employed Personnel Index dropped 0.9%.

Uruguay’s manufacturing output fell 5.3% year-on-year in October 2025, following a 5.2% decline in September. The steepest drag came from paper and paper products (-16.8%), followed by petroleum refining (-31.8%) and food manufacturing (-3.2%). In contrast, production rose in beverages (9.3%), chemicals (4%), and machinery and equipment, which surged 51.4%. Labor indicators also weakened: the Hours Worked Index fell 1.6% and the Employed Personnel Index dropped 3.4%.