The Observer – Montevideo
So far from 2025 the billing for Uruguayan exports of dairy products 11% increased in relation to the registration from January to June 2024, totaling US $ 428.5 million, the National Milk Institute (INAL) reported.
Most relevant export items
The billing generated by Uruguayan exports of milk products It is a transcendent reference, considering that in 2024 that Segment of goods occupied the fourth place in the ranking of main products exported behind cellulose, bovine meat and soybeans.
So far from 2025, dairy products are also in the fourth step of the ranking of exported goods prepared by Uruguay XXI, Below bovine meat, cellulose and soy, leaving the beverage concentrates in the fifth place.
The work prepared by Inale professionals Consider a set of four items already mentioned, based on data from the National Customs Directorate (DNA).
The accumulated income had the following realities comparing the initial January-June of 2025 and 2024:
- In whole milk powder An 18% rise was perceived (it totals US $ 286.9 million).
- In skim powder milk There was a 4% decline (US $ 25.4 million).
- In cheese A 22% drop was recorded (US $ 45.3 million).
- In butter There was an increase of 26% (total it US $ 34.8 million).
If the reading is done on the volume placed, In January-June of 2025, 94,738 tons were exported and it was appreciated, Compared to the same period of 2024, the following records:
- 3% rise In whole powdered milk (72,110 tons embarked).
- 8% drop In skim powder milk (8,132 tons).
- 23% decrease In the case of cheese (9,172 tons).
- 1% increase in butter (5,324 tons).
Whole milk
Whole powdered milk is still, no matter how much, the most exported product in volume (76.1% of the total embarked) and income (66.9% of the total obtained).
Regarding the average prices achieved, based on the comparison of the accumulated in January-June, It was 15% higher in whole milk powder; greater 4% in skim milk powder; also 1% higher in cheese; and amounted 24% in butter.
Finally, considering the most recent, that is, only what happened with the businesses corresponding to June 2025, The average prices were:
- US $ 4,137 By ton of whole milk powder.
- US $ 3,227 by ton of skim milk powder.
- US $ 4,950 For ton of cheeses.
- US $ 6,839 by ton of butter.
An encouraging fact is that if the price received in June 2025 with December 2024 is compared There was an increase in entire powdered milk (47%), a rise in skim milk powder (4%), an rise in cheese (1%) and a growth in butter (24%).
What happened in the last full year
In all 2024 the billing received by exports of dairy products was slightly superior (+ 0.5%) which was recorded throughout 2023, that is, from January to December, reaching US $ 853.9 million, El Inale said.
Markets leading: Brazil and Algeria
Brazil remains consolidated as the main destination For the dairy products that Uruguay exports, based on the report that the Inale updated.
Considering the last 12 months (mobile year), The main destinations were Brazil and Algeria (31% each), with minor shares of Russia, Chile and Mauritania (3% each).
Taking into account the four items, Brazil was the main destination for two: skim milk powder (caught 65% of the total) and cheeses (31%), Algeria was for whole milk (43%) and Russia for butter (29%).
International Market for Milk powder
In June 2025 the average price agreed for entire milk powder exported by South America It increased 1% compared to the previous month and stood 17% above the value of last year, located at US $ 4,500 per ton.
At the same time, the average price agreed for skimmed milk in the month of June exported by South America increased 6% compared to the previous month, with a value of US $ 3,550 per ton and stood 6% above the value of the same month of the previous year.
