CHILE – From January to June 2024 (6M-2024), Chile’s exports of particleboard (PB / MDP) faced a significant downturn, totaling USD 44.5 million. This represents an 18.5% decrease compared to the same period in 2023, when exports amounted to USD 54.6 million.

A closer look at the data reveals mixed results across various destination countries. Exports to Mexico, Chile’s largest market for particleboard, dropped by 24.4% to USD 14.6 million from USD 19.3 million in 6M-2023. Similarly, exports to Peru saw a sharp decline of 43.3%, falling to USD 7.1 million from USD 12.5 million. Other markets also experienced reductions: Guatemala (-16.4%), Ecuador (-27.5%), and Costa Rica (-27.9%).

Conversely, exports to Colombia and other countries showed positive trends. Exports to Colombia increased by 18.7%, reaching USD 9.6 million compared to USD 8.1 million last year. Additionally, exports to other countries rose by 29.6%, totaling USD 4.8 million.

In terms of exporters, Arauco and Masisa are the main players in the particleboard market. Arauco’s exports amounted to USD 34.0 million, down 17.2% from USD 41.1 million in the previous year. Masisa’s exports also fell, by 22.6%, to USD 10.5 million from USD 13.6 million.