Forestry Contractors Warn of Critical Scenario Due to Tariffs and Violence in the South
The Chilean forestry sector, considered strategic for the national economy and an employment driver in regions like Biobío, Ñuble, La Araucanía, and Los Ríos, faces an adverse scenario combining internal and external factors.
In addition to the decline in international prices for wood and pulp, there are attacks in the southern macrozone, increasingly devastating forest fires, and now, the imposition of tariffs in the United States, the main destination for Chilean exports in this sector.
According to figures from the Forestry Contractors Association, Chile exports approximately $1.5 billion worth of wood to the North American market, primarily moldings and processed products. With the application of a 10% tariff, losses will reach $150 million, a direct blow that could impact the entire production chain. "Companies will have to absorb this cost by reducing margins or passing it on to prices, which threatens competitiveness against other supplier countries," warns René Muñoz, the guild's manager, in an interview with Vértice TV.
The complexity of the scenario is not limited to foreign trade. In the southern macrozone, contractors continue to face armed attacks, timber theft, and rural violence. Although the number of attacks has decreased compared to the previous year, with 18 incidents so far in 2025 versus 26 in 2024, the situation remains critical. "The sector cannot operate under normal conditions; attacks and insecurity are a constant that affects both companies and workers," stated Muñoz.
Adding to these problems are forest fires. Chile has already experienced sixth-generation mega-fires in 2017 and 2023, which destroyed thousands of hectares and resulted in million-dollar losses. With climate change intensifying heatwaves, the leader warns that risks are increasingly greater. "When facing extreme temperatures, strong winds, and low humidity, fires become uncontrollable. Only prevention can make a difference," Muñoz emphasized.
The manager of Acoforag highlighted the need for the State to take a more active role in afforestation and reforestation. "It is estimated that there are 2 million eroded hectares that could be allocated to new plantations, crucial not only for sustaining production but also for meeting the carbon neutrality commitment by 2050. Today, the country's forests capture about 60% of national emissions, but that capacity is at risk if what has been lost to fires and neglect is not replenished," he stressed.
In this scenario, the situation of small and medium-sized forestry enterprises is particularly delicate. The decline in activity, insecurity, and cost pressures keep many contractors in a state of survival. "The sector is deteriorated, pulled in all directions, and with little activity," summarized Muñoz, warning that the lack of concrete measures threatens the continuity of a sector vital for the economic development of the country's south.
