Exports from the Biobío Region began 2026 with an 8.9% year-on-year drop, totaling US$371.8 million in January. This performance is mainly explained by the decline in the industrial sector, where forestry activity maintains a key role in the regional economy.
According to the Export Bulletin from the National Statistics Institute (INE), the industry accounted for US$331.8 million, representing 89.2% of regional shipments, although it recorded a 12.4% decrease compared to the same month in 2025.
Within this sector, forestry activities remain among the most relevant. The manufacture of pulp, paper, and cardboard led exports with US$122.4 million, equivalent to 32.9% of the regional total, followed by food and the forestry category, which reached US$63.5 million, with a 17.1% share.
However, the report shows a contraction in several key products of the forestry complex. Pulp exports — the main regional product — amounted to US$118.1 million, representing a 40.4% year-on-year decline. A drop was also recorded in sawn wood, which reached US$28.2 million, a decrease of 19.4% compared to January last year.
Despite this scenario, forestry products continue to be a central part of Biobío's export basket. Along with pulp and sawn wood, other relevant products for the month were whole frozen horse mackerel and fresh blueberries, which together account for a significant portion of regional shipments.
Regarding destinations, Asia remains the main market for Biobío's products with a 37.3% share, although shipments to that continent recorded a 33.7% drop, influenced mainly by lower demand from China, the region's main trading partner.
Despite the decline at the start of the year, the forestry sector continues to position itself as one of Biobío's export pillars, alongside the food industry, maintaining its strategic weight in foreign trade and regional economic activity.
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