Ñuble's forestry and agricultural exports show recovery in May

Ñuble's forestry and agricultural exports totaled US$110.7 million during May, according to Odepa, with statistics from the Customs Directorate, representing a 41.8% increase compared to the same month in 2025.

Thus, in January-May, Ñuble's silvoagricultural exports totaled US$638.4 million, showing a 12.3% increase compared to the same period last year.

Forestry recovery

The international scenario for the forestry sector remains complex due to the contraction in demand for cellulose in China and lower demand for wood products in the United States and also in Asia. In fact, 2025 closed with a 29.5% drop in Ñuble's forestry shipments.

But in recent months, a recovery has been observed. In May, Ñuble's forestry shipments totaled US$58.9 million, with a year-on-year increase of 54.3%. Thus, in the first five months of 2026, they amounted to US$322.4 million, representing a 6.2% decrease compared to January-May 2025.

Cellulose shipments totaled US$126.5 million, registering a slight decrease of 1.8% compared to January-May 2025. On the other hand, exports of processed wood totaled US$75.5 million, marking a 10.6% drop; while sawn wood reached US$49.4 million, also showing a contraction of 14.0%.

Víctor Sandoval, president of Pymemad Biobío-Ñuble, analyzed the context for wood exports: "There is a mix of factors, we have the issue of tariffs imposed by the United States that make us compete with other countries; on the other hand, there is the drop in demand in the United States and also the decline in demand in Asia, which absolutely impacts wood export numbers and prices."

Agricultural exports

After the poor performance of some sectors at the start of the year, such as fresh fruit and the cherry price crisis, for example, in subsequent months, processed fruit and seed sectors have strongly contributed to improving the sector's numbers.

In May, agricultural shipments reached US$51.8 million, registering a 29.7% growth compared to May 2025.

With this, in the first five months of 2026, Ñuble's agricultural shipments totaled US$315.3 million, representing a 40.3% increase compared to January-May 2025.

Cumulative exports of processed fruit (mainly frozen) so far this year reached US$153.9 million, registering a 78.3% increase compared to January-May 2025 - maintaining a sustained rise in recent years -; however, fresh fruit exports totaled US$67.1 million, representing a 12.5% decrease.

Regarding seed shipments, which totaled US$23.2 million, they accumulate a 68.7% increase compared to the first five months of last year; while processed vegetables totaled US$15.7 million, equivalent to a 14.1% increase.

Source:La Discusión