Chilean forestry exports reached US$2,254.1 million between January and May 2026, a figure that represents a decrease of 15.4% compared with the same period of the previous year, according to the most recent report prepared by the Forestry Institute (INFOR).
The result reflects a complex international context for the sector, marked by lower demand and a drop in the prices of some of the main exported products, especially pulp, panels and wood moldings.
The Minister of Agriculture, Jaime Campos, stated that these figures confirm the need to continue strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of the national forestry sector. "We are facing a demanding international scenario, but we have a sector that has demonstrated adaptability and an important contribution to the country's economic and territorial development. Our challenge is to continue promoting innovation, market diversification and the strengthening of small and medium-sized forestry companies in order to better face fluctuations in international markets," he said.
Chemical pulp remained the main exported product, concentrating shipments worth US$1,246.3 million, equivalent to 55.3% of the sector's total exports. Within this group, bleached eucalyptus pulp stood out, with exports worth US$645 million, followed by bleached radiata pine pulp, with US$376.6 million.
However, both products recorded decreases compared with the same period of 2025, influenced by a reduction in their average export prices. In contrast, eucalyptus textile pulp showed a positive performance, reaching US$150.1 million and growth of 24.7%.
China continued to be the main destination for Chilean forestry exports, concentrating purchases worth US$932 million, equivalent to 41.3% of total exports. It was followed by the United States, Mexico, Peru and Japan. Among these markets, Peru stood out, with growth of 15.3% in its imports of Chilean forestry products.
INFOR's executive director, Gabriel Valenzuela, explained that although the figures reflect a widespread contraction, they also show relevant signs regarding new opportunities for the sector. "We observe a challenging international scenario, particularly due to the drop in prices of strategic products for our export matrix. However, we also see positive signs in specific segments, such as eucalyptus textile pulp and nitens eucalyptus chips, in addition to the growth recorded in some destination markets. This background reinforces the importance of continuing to generate strategic information to support public and private decision-making," he said.
The report also highlights that sawn wood exports reached US$167.7 million, recording a decrease of 4.2%. South Korea remained the main destination, followed by Mexico and Peru. The latter two markets recorded increases of 8.8% and 4.8%, respectively, evidencing a gradual diversification of commercial destinations for this product.
Meanwhile, wood panels totaled exports worth US$224.4 million, with a decrease of 14.3%, while wood moldings recorded one of the largest contractions of the period, decreasing 28.4% compared with January-May 2025.
During 2025, Chilean forestry exports reached US$5,922.5 million, a figure that represented a decrease of 7.0% compared with 2024, mainly due to the fall in international prices of chemical pulp, panels and sawn wood.
Finally, INFOR's executive director pointed out that the evolution of global demand and international prices will continue to be a determining factor for the sector's export performance during the coming months, in a context where "the generation of strategic information is key to anticipating trends and strengthening the country's forestry competitiveness."
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