Herding cattle in Treinta y Tres Department
Courtesy Inter-American Development Bank

Inspecting a beef carcass in Melo
Courtesy Inter-American Development Bank

Harvesting oranges near Paysandú
Courtesy Inter-American Development Bank

Agriculture played a central role in Uruguay's economy. In 1988 agricultural activity (including fishing) directly generated 13 percent of GDP and provided over half the value of exports. Indirectly, agriculture was responsible for a much higher proportion of both GDP and exports. Many of Uruguay's most dynamic manufacturing enterprises--such as its tanneries and textile mills--depended on agricultural inputs. The close relationship between agriculture and manufacturing had a significant impact on Uruguay's economic development. For example, the sluggish performance of the large livestock sector in the 1980s contributed to slow overall economic growth (see table 13, Appendix).

Data as of December 1990