CHILE (Notifix).- Arauco’s Panel sales reached US$ 449.9 million in the first quarter of this year, an increase in accumulated sales of 78% in relation to the same quarter of 2012. The increase is explained by the addition of sales coming from their new operations in USA and Canada. Regardless of this important growth, in the case of Argentina and Chile, sales volume during the quarter was stable in both markets.

In the case of MDF panel boards, sales volume increased 105% in regards to the same quarter of 2012. This strong growth is explained by an increase of supply in the North American market after the Flakeboard and Moncure acquisitions, and also due to the start up of the new MDF line in Jaguariaiva, Brazil.Sales volume of PB grew 170% respect to the same quarter of 2012 also due to the increase of supply in North America and furthermore to the additional volume supplied by their new Teno mill in Chile.