The outlook for the soft drinks industry in Uruguay is positive, supported by a favourable macroeconomic environment following the administration of former President Lacalle Pou and the inauguration of Yamandú Orsi as President in March 2025. According to IMF estimates, Uruguay’s economy is projected to grow by 3%. After overcoming the severe impact of the Argentine economic crisis, economic activity has regained momentum, with simultaneous growth in wages and employment. A key factor supporting

Bottled water in Uruguay recorded strong growth in 2025, fuelled by ongoing consumer distrust of tap water following the 2023 drought and water quality issues. Still purified water was the most dynamic category, attracting middle- and lower-income consumers seeking value-for-money options, and it is expected to continue gaining share from mineral water due to its lower price and perceived similarity.

In 2025, carbonates in Uruguay faced ongoing pressure from the rising popularity of bottled water health and wellness trends. Increased awareness about the health risks associated with excessive sugar consumption is fuelling demand for reduced-sugar variants. There is also rising demand for tonic water/mixers/bitters, driven by the mixology trend.

In 2025, powder concentrates partially recovered in volume terms after three years of decline, but continued to face strong competition from flavoured bottled water and other health-oriented soft drinks. Liquid concentrates recorded the fastest growth, though from a low base, aided by Argentine migrants, but remained niche due to limited variety, minimal innovation, and low marketing support.

Juice consumption in Uruguay grew strongly in 2025 as consumers increasingly prioritised healthier, more natural beverages. This trend supported growth across all juice categories, with 100% juice seeing particularly strong demand as consumers sought additive- and sugar-free options, despite its seasonal consumption patterns.

Sports drinks in Uruguay recorded further robust growth in 2025, driven by the ongoing health trend, innovation and new consumption occasions. Genomma Laboratories’ SueroX, a reduced sugar oral replenishment beverage, expanded sports drinks use beyond athletic use to everyday recovery moments and broadened its distribution from pharmacies to supermarkets and other channels.

Energy drinks saw double-digit growth in Uruguay in 2025, driven by promotions, marketing to younger consumers, expanded flavours, and declining Argentine contraband. Rising health consciousness boosted demand for reduced sugar variants, with Red Bull Sugar Free and Monster Ultra Zero gaining strong traction in key cities.

RTD tea remained an underdeveloped category in Uruguay in 2025, with growth hampered by its limited popularity, high prices, a lack of substantial advertising and promotion. Going forward, RTD tea, with its perceived health benefits and natural ingredients, has the potential to attract health-conscious consumers if manufacturers focus on targeted marketing campaigns that emphasise these attributes.

Uruguay has solid economic freedom and low levels of corruption, which adds to its stable political landscape. Although the economy is moderating, inflation is falling, but dependence on agriculture remains high. The consumer market benefits from elevated incomes, but the populace is ageing and organised crime has become part of the social fabric. Mobile subscribers continue to rise and e-commerce is progressing, whilst space technology is an ambition, but innovation potential is below peers.

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.