CHILE (Notifix).- According to Gustavo Rojas, director of the Chilean Bureau of Agricultural Studies and Policies (Odepa), exports of the forestry sector reached US$ 2,201

million in the January-May period of 2011, a 59.5% growth against the same period of 2010. Rojas added, that these figures are explained by the sustained increase in cellulose prices in international markets, as cellulose represents 50% of forest product exports (68% in value, 50.4% in volume). The main export markets in the period were: China (20.1%), USA (11.1%), Japan (10.6%), Italy (7%) and South Korea (6.9%). May also registered an important increase in the shipments to China (98%), Italia (93%) and Japan (70%). These results show market recuperation to levels before the crisis and support positive industry forecasts regarding a 14% growth in forest exports for this year and against 2010 figures.