Uruguay declares institutional alert for El Niño 2026-2027

Uruguay’s Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) has declared an institutional state of alert due to forecasts of a strong or very strong El Niño phenomenon expected during the 2026-2027 period. The decision, announced by Minister Alfredo Fratti, applies to all ministry departments and national agricultural institutions.

The alert follows projections from the Uruguayan Institute of Meteorology and a previous warning from the National Emergency and Risk Reduction Board. To manage potential impacts on agricultural production, the inter-institutional group for monitoring and managing agroclimatic emergencies will remain in permanent session.

Key planned actions include developing a contingency plan, strengthening early warning systems, and promoting financial tools to support rural producers and organizations. The ministry will also coordinate measures with local governments and departmental emergency committees to ensure an agile response to extreme weather events.