Exports of goods including free zones reached US$842 million in October 2022, registering a 6% year-on-year drop, according to the report prepared by the Uruguay XXI Competitive Intelligence department. This reduction is mainly explained by lower sales of beef. On the other hand, increases are observed in exports of vehicles, rice and dairy products.
In the accumulated January-October 2022, exports of goods (including free zones) grew 27%, totaling US$ 11,262 million. The products that registered increases were dairy products, rice, malt, plastics and vehicles. Beef exports continued to fall for the fourth consecutive month and totaled US$ 186 million, 28% below their year-on-year value.
The volume traded in October 2022 fell 27%, compared to October 2021. This is explained, in large part, by a decrease in exports to China. The Asian country bought 56% of the total beef exported in October 2022, but reduced its purchases by 43% compared to October 2021.
On the contrary, the United States registered an increase of 55% year-on-year, when US$ 29 million were sold in October 2022. The European Union also increased its purchases of beef by 5%. In the annual accumulated, the export value of bovine meat is US$ 2,204, which until this month shows an increase of 14% compared to what was exported last year.
Exports of meat by-products also fell. While in October 2021 placements of these products had reached US$50 million, this year they reached US$47 million. China, destination of 30% of exports of meat by-products, reduced its purchases by 45%. To the United States, a total of US$ 19 million was exported, an increase of 141% year-on-year. In the annual accumulated, meat by-products continue to register a positive variation (7%), with a total export of US$ 397 million.
