Biobío forestry exports grew 7.8% in August and reached US$211.1 million

Forestry exports from the Biobío Region totaled US$211.1 million during August 2026, registering year-on-year growth of 7.8%, according to the Forestry Exports Bulletin No. 22 of the National Institute of Statistics (INE). The result represented 61.3% of the region's international shipments, which totaled US$344.2 million in the period.

Pulp remained the main forestry product exported, with US$132.7 million, equivalent to 62.9% of the sector total. This commodity recorded an increase of 13.2% compared with August 2025, consolidating its share of regional shipments. Second was sawn wood, with US$22 million, although it experienced a drop of 32.7% compared with the same month of the previous year.

Other products also showed positive results. Wood fiberboards reached US$17.3 million, with year-on-year growth of 23.1%. In contrast, plywood recorded exports of US$10.7 million, a figure that represented a decrease of 8.9%. Together, pulp, sawn wood and fiberboards accounted for 81.5% of the region's forestry shipments.

The United States led the destination markets

As for commercial destinations, the United States headed purchases of forestry products from Biobío, with US$38.5 million, equivalent to 18.2% of the total exported by the sector. China ranked second, with US$37.1 million, although its purchases decreased 47.3% compared with August 2025.

For its part, the Netherlands received shipments worth US$30.8 million, registering an increase of 105.9%. South Korea reached US$19.5 million, with a rise of 85.4%, while Germany added US$12.5 million, posting growth of 208.6%. Together, the five main destinations accounted for 65.6% of regional forestry exports.

The pulp, paper and paperboard industry drove growth

By economic activity, the manufacture of pulp, paper and paperboard generated exports worth US$139.3 million, equivalent to 66% of the regional forestry total. The amount represented an increase of 14.3% over twelve months and was the main factor explaining the growth in shipments during August.

By contrast, forestry activity recorded exports of US$71.5 million, with a year-on-year decrease of 3.2%, equivalent to US$2.4 million less than in August 2025.

August's results reflected a year-on-year recovery in Biobío's forestry exports, driven mainly by pulp and the performance of some international markets. However, the contraction in sawn wood shipments and the lower demand recorded in China showed differences in the evolution of the sector's products and destinations.