Exportation of sheep meat: less volume at a better price

In the Tuesday column on the program Diario Rural (CX4 Rural), Agricultural Engineer Esteban Montes reported on the exports of sheep meat. Uruguay shows a decrease in the volume placed abroad, but a significant increase in the price per ton. He said that in the first half of 2025, 6,048 tons were exported, a total that compared to previous years is 42% less than in 2022, 55% less than in 2023, and 30% less than in 2024. In value, the average between January and June 2025, is US$ 5,237 per ton. That is 2% more than 2022, 34% more than in 2023, and 42% more than in 2024. DESTINATIONS. This year, the main markets were: China with 15% of the purchases; Mercosur with 30%; the European Union with 7%; Israel, 14%; Russia 7%, and the United States, Mexico, and Canada, 5%. This year there was a significant change in shipments, as China represented 40% in 2022; and 67% in 2023. Therefore, there is a different distribution in the markets and we are much less dependent on China, with greater ...