Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 16, Uruguay’s soybean production for the 2025-26 season is projected to decline slightly to 3.1 million tonnes from a record 3.3 million tonnes in 2024-25, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Despite the decrease, Uruguay will continue to be a key exporter of soybeans, primarily to China and Argentina.
The 2024-25 harvest marked one of Uruguay’s highest in history, driven by favorable conditions. For the upcoming season, farmers are shifting some soybean acreage to corn due to reduced concerns about the leafhopper pest, which was mitigated by a colder-than-average winter, the FAS noted.
Local soybean processing remains minimal, with less than 10% of production crushed domestically, mainly at one major facility. Crushing is expected to rise slightly to 170,000 tonnes, yielding 135,000 tonnes of soymeal and 30,000 tonnes of soy oil. Uruguay relies on imports of soymeal and oil to meet domestic feed and food industry demands.
Soybean exports, primarily whole beans, are forecasted at 2.9 million tonnes for 2025-26, down 100,000 tonnes from the previous year. China continues to be the primary market, accounting for nearly 80% of Uruguay’s soybean exports in 2024. “China remained the dominant destination for Uruguayan soybeans in calendar year 2024, absorbing nearly 80% of total exports,” the FAS said. “China’s preference for whole soybean imports, to be crushed domestically, continues to drive this trade.”
Argentina ranks as the second-largest export market, with an 800% year-on-year increase in 2024. “These flows were driven by Argentina’s substantial crushing capacity and a period of low domestic soybean sales, as Argentine producers delayed marketing their crop in anticipation of changes to export taxes, exchange rate movements, or more favorable prices,” the FAS explained. For 2025-26, exports to Argentina are expected to stabilize as local selling patterns normalize.
Emerging markets, including Egypt, Malaysia, and the European Union, are anticipated to see increased soybean exports from Uruguay in the coming season. This diversification reflects Uruguay’s strategic role in global soybean trade, supported by its consistent production and export capacity.
