In May 2026, Uruguay’s dairy industry recorded its strongest export month to date, with Africa emerging as a key destination. The continent accounted for 43% of total shipments and posted a 26% year‑on‑year increase. Major buyers included Algeria, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and Mauritania, while Venezuela returned to the market, purchasing around 550 tons of dairy products.

Despite May’s strong performance, the sector has yet to match the momentum of 2025, when exports grew by 14%. Whole milk powder continues to dominate Uruguay’s export mix, while butter also maintains steady gains in both volume and value.

Prospects for the second half of the year will depend heavily on global price movements, Brazilian demand, and weather‑related effects on regional production. With global milk supply growth remaining modest, Uruguay’s dairy sector aims to capitalize on international opportunities to support prices and reinforce its market position.