URUGUAYAN WOOL EXPORTS 2022/2023 SEASON 
During the period from July 2022 to June 2023, Uruguay’s wool exports amounted to 29.4 million kilograms of greasy wool, equivalent to 125.7 million US dollars. In terms of physical volume on a greasy basis, Uruguay experienced a 7.2% decrease compared to the same period in the previous year.
Out of Uruguay’s wool exports, 57% consisted of wool tops, 27% sold greasy, and the remaining 15% scoured. The main destinations for Uruguay’s wool exports were as follows: China accounted for 30%, Italy for 16%, Germany for 14%, Turkey for 8%, and Bulgaria for 5%. The remaining 27% distributed among of 28 countries.
WOOL EXPORTS BY MICRON RANGE
The profile of wool production in Uruguay has been changing over the past years in relation to micron ranges, going from producing only 4% of its wool with less than 22.5 microns in 1997 to producing 32% in recent years. Many Uruguayan producers have responded to market signals from consumers, and overall, the Uruguayan wool clip has been refined. It is important to highlight that in these wool microns (22.5 and less), the presentation of wool has characteristics comparable to those of the most important wool-producing countries such as staple length, low vegetable matter content, tensile strength, color, etc.
According to the information provided by the National Customs Office, based on the HS (Harmonized System) Nomenclature, Uruguay exported nearly 7 million kilograms of greasy wool finer than 22 microns, representing 23% of the total exported during the last season.
While the data by micron range of the exported wool cannot opened in a wider micron range within the finer than 22 microns, we highlight that, according to estimations of Uruguay’s wool production profile, the country produces approximately 2 million kilograms of greasy wool between 15 and 20 microns.
GREASY WOOL
The volume of greasy wool exported during the 22/23 season was slightly higher than the previous season, totalling 7.7 million kilograms. In terms of value, Uruguay sold abroad a total of 24.1 million US dollars of greasy wool.
Analyzing the exports of greasy wool according to micron range during the 2022/2023 season, 18% were wool with less than 22 microns, 10% were wool between 22 and 23 microns, 15% were wool between 23.1 and 24.9 microns, and the remaining 57% corresponded to wool with 25 microns and coarser.
The three main destinations for greasy wool exported by Uruguay of 22 microns and finer were China (65%), Bulgaria (18%), Italy (15%), and the remaining portion was destined for India. Estancias Puppo S.A, within that micron range, was the first wool exporter in Uruguay, in value terms of US dollars (72.1%) and in kilos sold (61%).
SCOURED WOOL
In relation to the exports of scoured wool, the published information can be analyzed only considering certain micron ranges. 39% of the total exported consisted of wool with less than 23 microns, while 5% between 23.1 and 24.9 microns, and the remaining wool was over 25 microns.
In that finer range (less than 23 microns), the main destination was also China (acquiring 30% of the total), followed by Egypt, Italy, and India, each accounting for around 15%.
WOOL TOPS
In the wool tops sector, 31% of the exports corresponded to wool with 22 microns and finer, while only 4% corresponded to wool with 22 to 23 microns, 11% to wool between 23.1 microns and 24.9 microns, and 54% to wool with over 25 microns. Considering wool with 22 microns and finer, Uruguay’s main buyers were Italy (40%), Germany (27%), Poland (6%), and Mexico (5%).
Estancias Puppo S.A continues to be the leading Uruguayan exporter of fine greasy wool in Uruguay. It specializes in acquiring the best production of fine wool from the most important Uruguayan wool producers, in order to satisfy the most demanding markets.
It is committed to exporting wool of exceptional quality, presentation, and with certifications for animal welfare (RWS) and organic standards (GOTS).
Source: José Luis Trifoglio – Estancias Puppo