Retail value sales of hot drinks in Uruguay strengthened in 2025, supported by an increasingly favourable macroeconomic environment and a renewed sense of stability following the presidential transition. The shift from the pro-market administration of Luis Lacalle Pou to the new Frente Amplio government under Yamandú Orsi did not disrupt economic dynamics; rather, it unfolded against a backdrop of steady wage growth, rising employment and a marked reduction in cross-border shopping thanks to the

The landscape of other hot drinks in 2025 was primarily defined by the maturity of yerba mate, which remains deeply ingrained in Uruguayan culture yet showed increasingly modest momentum due to saturation and demographic shifts. Although consumption remained widespread, underlying structural factors – such as ageing demographics, declining birth rates, and changing lifestyle patterns – moderated overall growth potential. At the same time, innovation continued to revitalise consumer interest, par

Coffee continued to perform well in Uruguay during 2025, supported by a combination of rising consumer interest in higher-quality products, a growing café culture and stronger retail availability across both premium and affordable formats. Although global climate pressures significantly increased the cost of green coffee beans – fuelled by droughts, irregular rainfall and crop losses – local demand remained resilient. Consumers with higher purchasing power continued to pursue coffee as a lifesty

Tea recorded another year of positive development in 2025, supported by the continued expansion of health-conscious consumption and a growing appreciation for functional beverages. The broader wellness movement that intensified during the pandemic sustained its influence, with Uruguayan consumers increasingly choosing teas that promise digestive support, relaxation, immune benefits or natural remedies for everyday ailments. While tea has long been part of the Uruguayan household, 2025 saw a deep

Current value growth for baked goods in Uruguay in 2025 is expected to be well down on 2024. The drop is partly explained by the easing of pricing pressures amidst a more stable inflationary environment. However, it also reflects the fact that retail volume sales have continued to contract, and at a steeper rate than in the previous two years. This declining trend is mainly attributable to falling consumption of unpackaged leavened bread, the dominant product type.

Following consistent declines in the previous three years, breakfast cereals in Uruguay has seen retail volume and current value sales rebound into positive territory in 2025. Most consumers do not consider these items a basic necessity, hence the turnround has been underpinned by improvements in confidence and purchasing power brought about by the easing of inflationary pressures and other favourable macroeconomic indicators. The category’s return to growth has also been supported by reduced le

With inflation gradually receding, current value growth for processed fruit and vegetables in Uruguay in 2025 is expected to be down moderately on 2024. Retail volume growth also looks set to fall below that recorded the previous year, partly because reduced pressure on household budgets has made consumers less worried about food waste and therefore more likely to buy fresh varieties. The latter trend has been given added impetus by rising health-consciousness, in that fresh fruit and vegetables

Current value growth for rice, pasta and noodles in Uruguay in 2025 is expected to be slightly lower than in 2024. This is partly because a more stable inflationary environment has alleviated cost pressures and created greater scope for price competition. However, the slowdown also reflects the fact that in keeping with the pattern observed throughout the review period, retail volume sales have continued to decline due to falling demand for rice and pasta, which are by far the most popular produ

Growth in staple foods current value sales in Uruguay in 2025 is expected to be moderately slower than in 2024. This is partly explained by the gradual easing of inflationary pressures, but also reflects the fact that retail volume sales are set to decline slightly due to falling demand in a number of larger and more mature categories, most notably unpackaged leavened bread, rice and pasta. However, the majority of categories are poised to register positive results in volume terms for the year t

Current value growth for processed meat, seafood and alternatives to meat in Uruguay in 2025 looks set to be up substantially on 2024, and it is projected to be the most dynamic of the five main staple foods categories in retail volume growth terms. It has been a major beneficiary of the sustained recovery in confidence and disposable incomes among consumers facilitated by the easing of inflationary pressures, as many product types are considered to be relatively expensive. The latter factor als

Sauces, dips and condiments in Uruguay is poised to register another strong performance in current value sales terms in 2025, with growth predicted to be up slightly on 2025. It is also expected to post the highest retail volume growth rate among the main cooking ingredients and meals categories. Expansion continues to be underpinned by the strength of traditional consumption habits, increasing interest in cooking and rising appreciation for the convenience of various product types. With inflati

Following declines over 2023-2024, edible oils in Uruguay is set to post double-digit growth in current value sales in 2025. This is primarily because unit prices which fell during the latter part of the review period have increased steadily over the year amidst rising input costs, robust international demand and disruption to global supplies caused by climate- and conflict-related shocks, logistical challenges and escalating trade tensions. Price hikes mean retail volume growth is projected to

Sweet spreads in Uruguay is set to register a modestly improved performance in current value growth terms in 2025. This is primarily due to still-elevated pricing pressures resulting from supply constraints and rising input costs, however, as retail volume growth is expected to be down slightly on 2024. Beyond price hikes, volume sales continue to be depressed by increasing maturity, health concerns and low levels of innovation. Nonetheless, overall demand remains reasonably resilient thanks to

Cooking ingredients and meals in Uruguay is set to show a significantly improved performance in current value growth terms in 2025. This is chiefly due to elevated pricing pressures, as retail volume growth is expected to be slightly lower than in 2024. However, the impact of price hikes has been mitigated by a gradual recovery in purchasing power facilitated by a more stable inflationary environment and other favourable macroeconomic indicators. Moreover, traditional consumption habits have hel

Meals and soups is the only one of the main cooking ingredients and meals categories in Uruguay poised to contract in current value terms in 2025. It is also set to be by far the weakest performer among them with regard to growth in retail volume sales. These results reflect the fact that demand for certain product types has been in decline for several years due to the perception that they are inherently unhealthy.

Sales of digestive remedies in Uruguay are expected to grow for the second consecutive year in current value terms in 2025, following a flat performance in 2023. This positive trend is supported in part by the economic situation in Argentina, with the Argentine Peso appreciating strongly in 2024-2025, reducing cross-border purchases and boosting domestic volumes.

The consumer health market in Uruguay is poised for continued growth in current value terms in 2025, albeit at a slower pace than in 2024, when the country rebounded from the Argentine crisis. The appreciation of Argentina’s official exchange rate is reducing cross-border shopping, which together with ongoing growth in employment and wages, is helping sustain demand. However, inflation continues to place upward pressure on prices, which is encouraging greater price sensitivity among consumers. M

Sports nutrition in Uruguay is expected to continue growing in current value terms in 2025, although at a slower pace than in 2024 due to rising protein prices and temporary shortages during the first two months of the year. Key underlying factors include limited investment in the dairy sector and generally low profitability, which have constrained overall production. This trend has been mirrored globally, as international producers prioritise higher value-added protein isolates with 90% concent

Analgesics, the largest category in Uruguay’s consumer health market, is expected to record stronger current value growth in 2025, consumption remaining closely tied to the management of general pain, fever and hangover symptoms. This improved performance is partly due to the sharp appreciation of Argentina’s official exchange rate, which has reduced price advantages across the border. As a result, small-scale smuggling declined notably in the first half of 2025, and most analgesic purchases pre

Wound care sales are expected to continue growing in current value terms in 2025, although at a slower pace than during the previous year. The category has benefited from macroeconomic developments in Argentina, where the official peso exchange rate has appreciated sharply, leading to a considerable rise in local prices. This reduced the price advantage of purchasing products across the border, leading to a notable decline in small-scale smuggling during the first half of 2025. As a result, most

Retail sales of herbal/traditional products in Uruguay are expected to see robust growth in current value terms in 2025. Herbal/traditional dietary supplements remains the largest category, fuelled by consumer demand for products that support overall wellness and immune health. Increasing awareness of preventive care is driving demand for herbal remedies such as chia, garlic, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and other plant-based supplements. At the same time, many consumers are seeking lower-cost option

The market for cough, cold, and allergy remedies in Uruguay will continue to expand in current value terms in 2025, supported by a more favourable economic environment and climate-related factors. Warmer weather during the first half of the year, combined with increased outdoor activity, has contributed to stronger-than-expected growth for systemic antihistamines/allergy remedies.

Dermatologicals is set to register a second consecutive year of double-digit growth in current value terms in 2025. The category has been positively affected by the sharp appreciation of Argentina’s official exchange rate in February 2024 which immediately impacted cross-border price dynamics. Small-scale smuggling fell notably in the first half of 2025, reducing the attractiveness of purchasing products in Argentina and redirecting demand back to local retailers.

Weight management and wellbeing is expected to see another year of healthy growth in current value terms in Uruguay in 2025. Supplement nutrition drinks has performed particularly well over the review period, supported by wider consumer adoption - specially by younger adults - who are increasingly adopting a preventative approach to health and wellbeing.