Uruguay Industrial Output Growth Slows in April

Uruguay’s industrial production rose 4.0% year-on-year in April 2026, slowing from a 9.4% increase in March. The expansion was supported by solid growth in pharmaceutical manufacturing (21.6%), rubber and plastic products (25.2%), and food production (1.7%). In contrast, output fell sharply in motor vehicles (-15.9%), machinery and equipment (-36.4%), and chemical products (-4.2%). Labor market conditions in the sector remained weak, with the hours worked index down 3.2% year-on-year and the employed personnel index decreasing 1.5%. Over the first four months of 2026, industrial production was up 3.9% compared with the same period a year earlier.