The drought in Uruguay caused “direct impacts” in the productive sector for about US$1.175 billion, representing 1.9 percent of the Uruguayan Gross Domestic Product (GDP), informed today, Thursday, the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries.
The Uruguayan entity declared an agricultural emergency in October 2022 for the third consecutive year.
However, for the first time in years, the lack of rain affects the entire territory of the country.
The head of the portfolio, Fernando Mattos, explained in a consultation session of the Uruguayan Parliament that the amount referred to corresponds to “a very primary estimate”, so they will have to review this calculation going forward “constantly”.
According to the estimate, agriculture suffered losses of US$490 million, livestock US$440 million, and dairy US$100 million.
Mattos stated before the Legislative Standing Committee that the government had adopted several measures to “alleviate the situation”, in addition to the fact that “more structural” actions on water use for production and human consumption should be implemented.
“We have reacted quickly, and if the situation worsens, we will surely have to adopt other measures,” the minister said in the open session.
According to official data, agro-industrial exports account for more than 80 percent of the South American country’s shipments.
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