Chilean Exports Hit Record Highs as January Foreign Trade Tops US$18 Billion
January saw Chile post record-breaking exports of goods and historic trade exchange totals surpassing US$18 billion for the first time in a single month. Foreign trade grew 3.1% year-over-year in January 2026 despite sustained price pressures, kicking off what could be another banner year for Chile’s exports.
Published by Subrei, Chile’s Undersecretariat for International Economic Relations, the Monthly Report on Chile’s Foreign Trade shows exports totaled US$10.68 billion in January 2026, up 8.5% from the same month last year. It marks the highest total value for goods exports in January of any year on record.
Destinations for Chilean exports varied, with Asia continuing to lead the region by volume, followed by North America and Europe. Services exports also showed strong growth in January.
Mining Again Drives Chilean Export Growth
Mining continues to dominate Chilean exports, responsible for more than half (52%) of all exports leaving the country by value. Mining products exports totaled US$5.558 billion in January up 12.1% year-over-year.
The majority of Chile’s mining exports are comprised of copper exports. Copper cathodes and concentrates alone were exported to the value of US$4.546 billion.
January 2026 also saw strong export totals across gold, lithium carbonate, iron, molybdenum concentrate, and silver. The leading non-copper products shown above increased by over US$35 million each.
As a reminder, Chile’s extractive industries play an outsized role in overall exports, consistently representing over half of all goods shipped abroad.
Highest-Ever Fruit Export Totals Point to Continued Strength for Chile’s Agricultural Brands
Food exports from Chile reached US$1.318 billion in January, up 13% from January 2025 and marking the best January performance for the sector ever recorded.
Leading products by export value were fresh cherries, which alone accounted for more than two-thirds (US$1.231 billion) of all fruit leaving the country. Other noteworthy performers were fresh blueberries and fresh nectarines.
Demand for Chilean agricultural exports remains strong in Asia, North America, and Europe, thanks in large part to the country’s advanced cold chain logistics capabilities.
Strength in Processed Foods Shows Increased Diversification of Chilean Exports
Perhaps more impressive than Chile’s agricultural export figures were totals posted by the food industry. January’s food industry exports reached US$1.318 billion, showing an increase of 13% on a yearly basis and marking the best start to a year on record for the sector.
Driving growth across the sector was:
- salmonids
- frozen jack mackerel
- tomato purée
- frozen Patagonian toothfish
- frozen strawberries.
The health food trend continued to drive strong sales of organic food exported abroad, reaching US$72 million total and showing an increase of 15.9%.
Exports of fresh blueberries and frozen fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, and cherries also contributed to January’s impressive performance.
Traditionally Weak Segments Perform Mixed in January 2026
Shipments of bottled wine reached US$108 million total, falling precipitously (-9.4%) from the year prior. Chile’s winemakers have struggled this year to brand Chile outside of red blends, which saw declining exports in January.
Segments where exports grew despite an overall industry decline were bottled wine varietals, such as:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Riesling
Forestry manufacturing exports dipped 15% year-over-year to US$490 million. Key drivers of the pullback were declining shipments of pulp, profiled wood, and paperboard.
Growing forestry exports were:
- sawn radiata pine wood
- plywood, fluting papers
- wood pellets
- self-adhesive paper
- prefabricated constructions and offices
doors, and tool handles
Agglomerated cork stoppers also increased year-over-year.
Chemical Manufacturing Bolsters Rising Contribution of Manufactured Goods to Chilean Exports
Industrial product exports continued to diversify in January 2026, with chemical manufacturing posting outsized growth. Exports of manufactured chemicals grew 47% from the year prior to US$862 million.
Driving chemical exports were:
- iodine
- lithium sulfate
- lithium hydroxide
- potassium nitrate
- fertilizers
Chilean manufacturers will likely play an increasingly important role in the global energy transition, driven by strong global demand for battery-related materials, particularly lithium.
Shipments of machinery and equipment grew 29.9% from January 2025 to US$144 million. Leading products were:
- Machinery for mineral processing
- Parts for drilling or exploratory machinery equipment
- Washing machines, tumble dryers, dryers, and cooking stoves
- Cold room cabinets
- refrigerated display cases
Activity was seen across a diverse range of sectors, suggesting maturation in Chile’s industrial manufacturing and export sector.
Non-Traditional Exports Lead the Way in January
For the first time ever, January 2026 saw greater value generated from the export of non-traditional goods than from traditional exports. Led by hazelnuts and frozen jack mackerel, non-traditional exports totaled US$5.622 billion and grew 9.8% year-over-year.
Additional noteworthy exports included fresh blueberries, frozen salmon fillets, fresh plums and fresh nectarines, fertilizers and ammonium nitrate, copper wire, and parts for drilling machinery equipment.
The diversification of Chilean exports will serve to insulate the economy from negative shocks to copper prices.
Services Exports Surpass US$400 Million for the First Time
Services also saw record growth in January, exceeding US$400 million (+37.4%) for the first time. Maintenance and repair of aircraft and aerial equipment alone reached US$141 million.
Other sectors showing strength were:
- Corporate administrative management advisory services: US$42 million
- Financial services associated with expert witnesses: US$16 million
- Information technology advisory services: US$15 million
- Logistics support services: US$14 million
Expansion of high-value services, such as those posted by Chile above, provides an opportunity for diversification of the economy, something that policymakers have sought for many years.
Stable Policy Environment Contributing to Export Growth
Like previous months, Chile’s trade growth has been attributed to a stable policy environment that seeks to continuously open markets and diversify trade relations abroad. The sustained expansion of Chilean exports can also be attributed to strong logistics infrastructure and an expansive network of free trade agreements.
Administrated by Subrei, Chile’s trade institutions use data reported by the Central Bank as well as data from Chile’s National Customs Service to monitor changes in export trends and guide policymakers.