Chile (Notifix).- By the end of fiscal year 2010 Brazil became Masisa's main market, proving the tendency registered throughout the year. Accumulated sales as of December 31, 2010 were 11.3% (US$103.1 million) up on the previous year and amounted to US$1,017.3 million. This increase is explained by higher demand in regional markets where Masisa has operations. Especially due to Brazil growing 75.5% (US$113.2 million), largely on account of the ramp-up of production at the new medium density particleboard (MDP) mill in Brazil, which started up in mid-2009 and to date is at 65% of its capacity. Sales in Argentina and Chile, Masisa third and fourth market surged 44.5% and 41.6% (US$39.4 million and US$60.6 million, respectively) due to volume and average price increases. The year's results were partly offset by sales plunging 38.6% (-US$128.0 million) in Venezuela, mainly due to the effect of the devaluation of the Bolívar on prices and a lower sales volume on account of the economic slowdown.Net income after minority interest achieved a record of US$72.4 million, which was up on the US$38.8 million in 2009. This increase was because of higher operating income of US$52.6 million across the Company's different business lines and of US$35.8 million as a result of a tax benefit arising from corporate restructuring of forestry and industrial assets in Chile put in place in the last quarter.Masisa, resultados económicos