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Biobío's forestry exports fall over 20% in July: pulp leads losses

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The Biobío Region, the epicenter of Chile's forestry industry, recorded one of the most significant declines in its recent exports in July 2025. According to the National Statistics Institute (INE), regional shipments totaled US$346.9 million, representing a year-on-year drop of 28.6%.

The decline is mainly explained by the contraction of the Industry sector, where forestry exports are concentrated. The manufacturing of pulp, paper, and cardboard fell 41.7% in twelve months, while the Forestry category declined by 23.3%.

Together, these two activities, along with food, accounted for nearly 89% of regional exports. Pulp alone generated US$111 million in shipments, although this figure was US$82 million lower than in July 2024.

Forestry products under pressure

The main products linked to the sector also showed declines. Sawn wood fell by 13.5% (US$43.3 million), while wood fiberboard decreased by 46.8%, and wood moldings declined by 21.5%.

The sum of pulp, sawn wood, plywood, moldings, and boards reached US$166 million, more than half of the total exported by the region, but with significant losses compared to the previous year.

China and the U.S.: declining destinations

The weakening of international demand was another key factor. China, the main buyer of pulp, reduced its imports from Biobío by 46.4%, while the United States fell by 11.3%. Together, both markets account for nearly half of the region's external sales.

Warning signs for the sector

The sustained decline in forestry exports worries trade associations and authorities, as Biobío heavily depends on this activity for employment and regional revenue. If the trend continues, they warn, the impact could be strongly felt in the local production chain and the stability of SMEs linked to wood and pulp.