News

Biobío's Forestry Exports Fall 37.3% in August with Pulp Leading Shipments

Sponsors

Forestry exports from the Biobío Region totaled US$190.2 million in August 2025, recording a 37.3% decrease compared to the same month last year, reported the National Statistics Institute (INE).

The forestry sector remains the engine of regional exports, accounting for 56.3% of the total exported, despite the widespread contraction in shipments. The manufacturing of pulp, paper, and cardboard was the most relevant economic activity of the period, with a share of 51.7%, while forestry activities contributed the remaining 48.2%.

Among the most exported goods, pulp stood out with US$93.6 million (49.2% of the total), although with an annual decrease of 44.3%. It was followed by sawn wood with US$36.6 million (-38.7%) and plywood with US$23.7 million, the only product that showed a slight increase of 3.4%.

By destination, China led imports from Biobío with US$48.8 million (25.7% of the total), despite a sharp drop of 45.9% compared to the previous year. The United States ranked second with US$45.1 million (-23.3%), followed by the Netherlands, South Korea, and Mexico, which together accounted for 67.9% of regional forestry exports.

The INE report also shows that the downward trend has extended throughout much of the last year. Of the 13 months analyzed between August 2024 and August 2025, the region's forestry exports recorded declines in eight months, reflecting a sustained slowdown in the sector. Only five months showed positive figures, mainly due to specific recoveries in October, December, and May.

In the cumulative total for 2025, Biobío's forestry exports amount to US$1.902 billion, representing a negative variation of 16.4% compared to the same period in 2024.

Despite the setback, Biobío remains one of the country's key regions in forestry, with an industry that continues to be a pillar of the regional and national economy, facing the challenge of regaining competitiveness in international markets.