Meat consumption in Uruguay grew to 99 kilos per person in 2024, with record levels for chicken and pork.
Uruguay closed 2024 with a per capita meat consumption of 99 kilos, with a notable increase in beef and record levels for chicken and pork. The trend reflects dietary changes and a greater emphasis on imports.
In Uruguay, meat continues to be the star of the table, with new preferences setting the course.
The country's consumption will reach 99 kilos of meat per capita in 2024, with increases in chicken and pork, a decrease in lamb, and a greater presence of imported products.
In a country historically linked to agriculture and livestock , meat continues to be a central element of the Uruguayan diet . According to data released by the National Meat Institute ( INAC), total meat consumption in 2024 was 99 kilos per person , including cuts of beef , pork , chicken , and lamb .
This was reported by Jorge Acosta, 's Information Manager , in a statement to a radio station . He explained that the rebound is largely due to an increase in beef, which rose by about three kilos compared to 2023. Although the absolute record — over 100 kilos — was not reached , the figure confirms a sustained recovery since 2022.
📈 Beef leads , although it loses ground
At 48.3 kilos per inhabitant, beef remains the most popular meat , but this is down significantly from the 54 kilos recorded in 2017. A striking fact is the growing share of imports : nearly 26 % of total consumption ( in bone - in equivalents ) comes from abroad .
" One out of every four kilos consumed is imported, and if 're talking only about ready- to - eat meat , that percentage exceeds 30 %," Acosta explained This trend responds to a strategy that prioritizes the export of meat , while the domestic market is supplied with cuts from abroad at lower prices .
🐑 Less lamb in the diet
Lamb meat, meanwhile , showed a decline , closing the year at 2.6 kilos per person , slightly below the three kilos of the year . According to Acosta, the decline is due to both commercial and cultural factors . " When I was a child, we ate more lamb during the season than we do now," he recalled.
The outlook for this sector in 2025 is not rosy : few meatpacking plants , declining production , and an international market with and downs. Although INAC has attempted to promote the sector, its recovery will depend on a more structured offering and a more pricing policy .
🐖🐔 Records in pork and poultry
The highlight of the year was the performance of pork and poultry , which reached record highs . Chicken reached 25.5 kilos per person ( up 1.5 kilos ) , while pork climbed to 22.9 kilos ( up 0.9 kilos ) .
These figures reflect, according to Acosta, not only the impact of price but also a change in consumer habits . " Uruguay is no longer a country that only eats ruminant meat . Today , consumption is practically divided between beef, sheep, and poultry and pork , " he explained.
In this new scenario , while pork is mostly imported , chicken is produced locally . In both cases , their lower cost and more efficient production have been key to gaining ground in the national diet .
💸 Price , a variable that can define the direction
For Acosta, what happens in the coming years will depend largely on the budget. " The price of beef is tied to the export value , which impacts the farm and the end consumer , " he explained . On the other hand , cheaper meats , such as chicken and pork , could continue to grow if they remain affordable .
For now, the beginning of 2025 shows positive signs with all meats on rise . But as the INAC technician pointed out , the domestic market is changing and continues to evolve.
