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Biobío's Forestry Exports Fall in September

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The forestry sector once again positioned itself as one of the protagonists of Biobío's exports during September 2025, despite the adverse economic scenario affecting the region. According to the export bulletin from the National Statistics Institute (INE), total shipments reached 323.2 million dollars, representing a year-on-year decline of 19.9%.

The setback was mainly explained by the decrease in the industrial sector, which concentrates the majority of the regional export supply. Within this group, forestry products—pulp, paper, cardboard, and processed woods—recorded a significant decline, although they maintained their leadership in the export basket.

Pulp and Sawn Wood: The Most Relevant Products

Pulp once again headed the list of most exported products, with 85.4 million dollars, equivalent to 26.4% of the regional total. However, this figure implied a 54.4% drop compared to September of the previous year, reflecting the global market slowdown and lower international prices.

Sawn wood, another key product in the forestry sector, recorded shipments of 35.4 million dollars, with a decrease of 31.1%. Other products in the sector also declined, such as plywood (-22.7%) and wood profiles and moldings (-41.1%).

Despite these declines, forestry products remained among the activities with the highest export participation:

• Pulp, paper, and cardboard manufacturing: 28.6%

• Forestry products: 26.7%

• Sawn wood: 11% of the total exported as a specific product

Together, the main goods exported by the region—led by pulp and wood-derived products—represented 69.1% of the monthly total.

Markets: United States and China Remain Key

The United States and China remained the main destinations for Biobío's products, capturing 23.8% and 16.7% of exports respectively. However, shipments to Asia retreated significantly by 40.5%, dragged down by the drop in Chinese demand, which directly affected the forestry sector.

Silvoagriculture on the Rise, but with Low Impact

Although the silvoagricultural sector showed strong growth (204.3%), its participation in the regional total remains low (4%). The export of standing timber remained stable, with a variation of 5.2%, without major impact on the overall balance of the sector.

A Complex Month for the Forestry Industry

The bulletin confirms that September was a month of adjustment for Biobío's forestry sector, marked by contraction in international prices and lower demand in key markets. Despite this, the sector continues to be the pillar of regional export activity, concentrating more than half of the returns and maintaining its strategic importance for the economy of southern Chile.

The coming months will be key to observing whether the industry's performance stabilizes, especially in light of signs of recovery in Asian markets and the evolution of pulp prices, a product that continues to define the export pulse of Biobío.