CHILE – The value of Chilean exports of particleboard (PB/MDP) grew 6.0 percent in the first three months of 2023 (1Q-2023) reaching USD 22.72 million, compared to USD 21.44 million in the same period of 2022.

Total Chilean exports of particleboard in 1Q-2023 were accounted for by Arauco and Masisa with shipments abroad of USD 14.72 million and USD 7.99 million, respectively.

In the improvement in Chilean PB / MDP exports in 1Q-2023, the strong growth of shipments to Guatemala (USD 4.86 million), Ecuador (USD 15.70 million) and Colombia (USD 5.28 million) stands out, which grew 146.0 percent, 133.8 percent and 60.1 percent respectively.

This significant growth offset the sharp drop in Chilean PB/MDP exports to the Peruvian market which went from USD 5.35 million in 1Q-2022 to USD 2.47 million in 1Q-2023.

Mexico (USD 9.05 million) and Colombia (USD 3.95), which surpassed Peru (USD 2.47 million), were the two main external markets for Chilean PB/MDP, with improvements of 0.7 percent and 60.1 percent, respectively.