Worldwide Wine Production Efficiency: Uruguay Leads the Way

Uruguay is Latin America's smallest producer of wine. Be honest: when was the last time you tried a Uruguayan wine?

One could only imagine Uruguay's global relevance in the wine market if it had more land to produce it in. The country has the world's highest yield or efficiency when we look at hectoliters produced per hectare, and it's not a close call. It's 30% more efficient in wine production per farming land available than the second-best New Zealand.

Wine consumption started in the mid-17th century with the planting of Spanish vines when modern-day Uruguay was called the Banda Oriental. A small, family-oriented industry evolved into a big one after the country's independence due to encouraging government policies and market demand. The modern wine industry in Uruguay began in the 1870s with the help of immigrants, mostly of Basque and Italian descent.

Still, all that efficiency is primarily for local enjoyment. Uruguay plays a minor role globally, exporting less than 10% of its small output. The rest is for consumption by Uruguayans themselves. We did a little online shopping investigation, and you can buy 88 different Uruguayan wines in the US from a liquor marketplace called Drizly, compared to 3K+ Argentinian wines.

Immersing oneself in the local culture and scenery of Uruguay by visiting the country is probably the ideal way to truly appreciate the country's intriguing array of wines.