Gobierno reporta alza de exportaciones en enero-abril: destacaron el litio, salmón y jurel – BioBioChile

Chilean exports grew by 12% between January and April 2026, reaching a total value of US$39.772 billion. This growth was driven primarily by the mining and energy sectors, alongside record-breaking shipments in the food industry, according to data from the Undersecretariat of International Economic Relations (SUBREI).

The mining sector remained the dominant force in the country’s foreign trade, contributing 59.4% of all shipments during the four-month period. Mining exports totaled US$23.606 billion, with copper and lithium serving as the primary catalysts for the increase.

Mining and Energy Performance

Copper exports increased by nearly 10%, reaching a value of US$19 billion. While the overall trend for the first four months was positive, the Central Bank reported that the value of copper shipments rose by 0.30% specifically in April.

Lithium shipments saw an even more significant surge, with the volume of exports nearly tripling during the January-April period. This growth in minerals, combined with contributions from the energy sector, underpinned the broader expansion of the trade balance.

Record-Breaking Food and Non-Traditional Exports

The food sector experienced its strongest start to a year in recorded history. The government reported record shipment levels for chilled whole salmon and frozen horse mackerel.

Non-traditional exports also showed strong performance at the beginning of 2026. Specifically, shipments of apples, hazelnuts, and frozen raspberries were highlighted as key drivers of this diversification.

Beyond physical goods, reports from La Tercera indicate that Chile has reached historical milestones in the export of services and the overall number of exporting companies.

Sectoral Slowdowns and Trade Balance

Despite the overall growth, some sectors faced headwinds. Reporting from Diario Financiero noted a deceleration in copper exports and declines in shipments within the industrial and agricultural sectors.

Notwithstanding these specific declines, the broader economic indicators remained positive. The Central Bank confirmed that Chile recorded a trade surplus in April, supported by the stability of copper values and the growth in other export categories.

The combined performance of mining, energy, and high-value food products has allowed the country to maintain a strong position in international markets through the first third of the year.