Canelones, Colonia, and Montevideo accounted for 45% of Uruguayan exports in 2025

Uruguay's goods exports in 2025 reached US$13.494 billion, with Canelones, Colonia, and Montevideo together accounting for 45% of that total, according to the report Goods Exports by Department 2025, prepared by the Competitive Intelligence Department of Uruguay XXI.

The study provides an in-depth analysis of the international integration of the country’s 19 departments and details the main exported products, export destinations, and the composition of foreign sales in each region.

Canelones led national exports with a 16% share, driven primarily by beef sales and a wide range of export industries. Colonia ranked second, accounting for 15% of the total thanks to the significant share of pulp and beverage concentrates produced in free trade zones. Montevideo accounted for 14% of exports and stood out particularly for vehicles and other industrial goods.

The report also highlights the productive specialization of different departments. Durazno and Río Negro ranked among the top exporting departments thanks to the pulp industry, while Soriano, Paysandú, and Flores reinforced their agricultural profile with soybeans as their flagship product.

In the eastern part of the country, rice once again took center stage. Treinta y Tres allocated 71% of its exports to this product, Rocha reached 43%, and Artigas 49%, reflecting the strategic importance of the rice industry in several departmental economies.

Beef remained the country’s leading export product, accounting for 20% of the national total, with sales of US$2.669 billion in 2025. Canelones alone accounted for 45% of those exports, followed by Tacuarembó and Durazno.

Dairy products also maintained a strong territorial concentration. San José once again led the sector, accounting for 60% of the country’s dairy exports, with Florida in second place, which was by far the leading exporter of live cattle.

China remained the primary destination for Uruguayan exports in 2025, with purchases totaling US$3.483 billion, driven mainly by soybeans, pulp, and beef. Durazno, Colonia, Canelones, and Río Negro were among the departments most closely linked to the Chinese market.

Brazil remained the second most important trading partner, with a strong presence of industrialized products such as vehicles, plastics, dairy products, and auto parts. Montevideo led exports to the Brazilian market with US$ 798 million.

In addition to China and Brazil, the European Union re-established itself in 2025 as one of the main destinations for Uruguayan exports, with purchases totaling US$1.681 billion. The European bloc focused particularly on imports of pulp and beef, which accounted for the majority of bilateral trade.

Canelones was the department with the highest exports to the European Union, at US$373 million, followed by Durazno with US$350 million and Colonia with US$264 million. Río Negro, Montevideo, and Tacuarembó also stood out, reflecting the importance of agribusiness and forestry in trade ties with Europe.

The report also highlights the country’s productive transformation over the past few decades. Although Uruguay continues to rely heavily on agro-industrial goods, the export matrix increasingly incorporates industries with higher value added, ranging from pharmaceuticals and chemicals to vehicles and processed foods.

Read the full report here: Exports of Goods by Department 2025