The Forest Institute (INFOR) presented a new edition of the2026 Forestry Yearbook, a publication that brings together the main economic and productive indicators of the Chilean forestry sector, with results showing advances in industrial production during 2025, along with a decrease in exports.
According to the report's figures, industrial log consumption reached 42.74 million solid cubic meters without bark (m³ ssc), representing an increase of 1.2% compared to 2024. Radiata pine concentrated the largest volume, with 26.47 million m³, equivalent to an increase of 1.6%, while eucalyptus consumption reached 16 million m³, with a rise of 0.6%.
By industry, log consumption by sawmills increased 3.4%, to 14.10 million m³, while that destined for pulp production remained practically stable, with growth of 0.3%, to 19.56 million m³. Meanwhile, consumption for wood chips decreased 2.1%, standing at 4.50 million m³.
One of the most notable results was the performance of sawn wood, whose production reached 7.44 million cubic meters, with growth of 5.8% compared to the previous year. Wood chip production also increased, reaching 8.46 million m³, 1% more than in 2024, while the manufacture of posts and poles grew 27%, to 317 thousand m³.
In the pulp industry, chemical pulp production reached 5.80 million tons, with an increase of 2.3%. When also considering mechanical and thermomechanical pulp, whose production reached 261 thousand tons, the total volume exceeded 6 million tons for the first time, according to the results presented by INFOR.
However, the evolution of other industrial products was uneven. Production of panels and veneers declined 5.2%, to 2.91 million m³, while the manufacture of paper and cardboard fell 1.8%, standing at 1.30 million tons.
Exports down and imports up
In terms of foreign trade, Chilean forestry exports totaled US$5,922 million FOB in 2025, a figure that represented a decrease of 7% compared to the previous year. In contrast, imports reached US$1,747 million CIF, with an increase of 8.8%.
These figures reflect a scenario of lower export value and higher external purchases, in a period in which industrial activity recorded advances in relevant segments, such as sawn wood and chemical pulp.
Forestry employment grew 0.9%
Employment in the forestry sector reached 103,446 people during 2025, which meant an increase of 0.9% compared to 2024.
The 2026 Forestry Yearbook also incorporates the results of the VIII Survey of the Primary Forestry Industry, carried out by INFOR with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank, the Production Development Corporation and the Ministry of Agriculture. This survey made it possible to update the universe of productive establishments and improve the information available on the structure and activity of the industry.
The publication brings together eight chapters dedicated to the forestry resource, macroeconomic indicators, log consumption and industrial production, foreign trade, prices, transportation, future wood availability and sectoral employment. It also includes updated information on projections of future availability of standing wood, a relevant antecedent for the planning and long-term development of the activity.
The2026 Forestry Yearbookis available for free download on INFOR's Forestry Statistics site, along with other publications and consultation tools from the Forestry Information and Economics Area.
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