9.8% Drop in Bio Bio's Forestry Exports in May 2026

Forestry exports from the Bio Bio Region totaled 204 million dollars in May 2026, representing a 9.8% decrease compared to the same month of the previous year, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE).

Despite this year-on-year setback, equivalent to 22.2 million dollars less, the sector remained the main driver of regional foreign trade, concentrating 63.7% of the total value exported by Bio Bio.

The sector's contraction was mainly driven by a decrease in extraction activity and primary forest products, which registered a 20.1% drop. This sector invoiced 67.8 million dollars in the month (17.1 million less than in May 2025).

For its part, the pulp, paper, and cardboard manufacturing industry generated 135.9 million dollars, 66.6% of the total forestry sector, although it also experienced a year-on-year decrease of 3.7% (5.2 million dollars less).

Cellulose consolidated its position as the most exported commodity in the region with 130.1 million dollars, covering 63.8% of forestry shipments. However, this product registered a 5% reduction compared to the same period in 2025.

In second and third place were sawn timber, with 26.3 million dollars and a 35.5% decrease, and wood fiberboards, which reached 11.2 million dollars after a 26.8% decrease.

Plywood and moldings completed the main group with 10.2 million (-19.7%) and 5.9 million dollars (-30.0%), respectively.

Regarding destination markets, China remained the region's main trading partner, capturing 32.3% of forestry shipments, equivalent to 65.9 million dollars, despite registering an 11% year-on-year decrease. The United States occupied the second position with 30.0 million dollars (14.7% share), suffering a 30.7% drop.

They were followed by the Netherlands with 16.9 million dollars (-3.4%), South Korea with 14.0 million (+21.9%), and Germany with 11.3 million dollars, a country that recorded a 103.6% increase.

In the accumulated period between January and May 2026, Bio Bio's forestry exports totaled 1,106 million dollars, maintaining a cumulative negative variation of 13.5% compared to the same period in 2025.

Although the year-on-year contraction in May shows a slower rate of decline compared to the most complex months of 2025, the indicator has accumulated 12 consecutive months of red figures.