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Biobío's Forestry Exports Plummet: A 29.1% Drop

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• The forestry sector in the Region faces a hard blow with a significant decrease in its exports, particularly to China.

Forestry exports from the Biobío Region experienced a notable drop of 29.1% during the April to June quarter of 2024, totaling US$1,165.2 million, of which US$703.1 million correspond to the forestry sector.

This decline is compared to the figures from the same quarter of the previous year, according to data provided by the National Statistics Institute (INE).

The manufacturing of pulp, paper, and cardboard led the decline with a 26.2% decrease, followed by forestry product exports, which fell by 33.0%.

China remains the main destination for these exports, although its imports from the region decreased by 49.3%, representing a drop of US$210.0 million compared to the same period the previous year. The United States, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Mexico are also among the top destinations, though with mixed results. While exports to the Netherlands and South Korea increased, sales to Mexico fell by 37.2%.

Pulp continues to be the most exported commodity, accounting for 56.6% of total forestry exports, though it also saw a 27.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Sawn wood and plywood round out the list of products most affected by the export decline.