No surprises: Uruguay rated “low risk” for deforestation by the EU

The European Commission published last Thursday its classification of countries whose exports to the European Union could be linked to deforestation at origin. As expected, Uruguay was listed among the “low risk” countries. This means that only 1% of shipments will be subject to inspection. Deputy Foreign Minister Valeria Csukasi told El Observador that the classification is a “recognition” of Uruguay’s environmental and production management, and that being labeled “low risk” grants the country “a different status.” The only other South American country in this category is Chile.

“In practical terms, it means that only 1% of shipments from Uruguay will be inspected. For medium-risk countries, inspections cover 3% of shipments, which adds complexity to regular trade flows,” the diplomat added. Other countries in the region and competitors of Uruguay — such as Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina — were placed in the “medium risk” category. The “high risk” blacklist includes only four countries: Russia, Belarus, North Korea, and Myanmar.

To make this determination, the European Commission assessed seven commodities, three of which are key export sectors for Uruguay: beef, soy, and timber. The other products analyzed were cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soy, and rubber, along with their derivatives such as leather, chocolate, and furniture.

Companies importing these raw materials into the EU will be required to prove — through geolocation systems — that the products were not linked to deforestation or forest degradation at the source. Large firms and operators must comply with the new regulation by December 30, 2025, while small businesses have until June 30, 2026, to adapt.