20 May 2026
Last News

South Korea has established itself as the main destination for Chilean sawnwood exports since 2022, also standing out for maintaining relatively stable demand levels in both volume and value, even after the 2013-2018 period, when shipments reached historical highs to that market and the rest of the world.

According to data from the Forestry Institute (Infor), the behavior of the South Korean market contrasts with the evolution observed in other relevant destinations for the Chilean forestry industry. While South Korea has sustained constant demand, traditionally important markets such as China and Japan have shown a downward trend since 2014.

The export evolution chart between 2010 and 2025 shows that China recorded the highest purchase amounts during the past decade, even exceeding US$ 200 million FOB in its most dynamic years. However, since then, its imports of Chilean sawnwood have steadily declined.

Japan faces a similar situation, with its purchases also showing a progressive decline since the middle of the previous decade. Mexico, meanwhile, exhibits fluctuations in its import levels, although with a general downward trend since 2010.

Vietnam, another market that gained prominence in recent years, currently faces signs of weakening. According to Infor, Vietnamese purchases of Chilean sawnwood have accumulated consecutive annual declines since 2021, raising questions about its future behavior and its ability to remain among the sector's main destinations.

In contrast, Peru and Costa Rica are beginning to position themselves as emerging markets for the Chilean sawnwood industry. Although their purchase amounts are still far from the historical leaders, both countries show a growing and sustained trend in recent years.

The scenario reflects a reconfiguration of export markets for Chilean sawnwood, in which South Korea strengthens its strategic role, while new regional destinations gain ground amid the slowdown of the main Asian economies.

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