Chilean exports hit record USD 83 billion as port expansion looms

Chilean exports reached a record USD 83.252 billion between January and August 2026, marking a 19.1% increase compared to the previous year. According to data from the Subsecretaría de Relaciones Económicas Internacionales, mining accounted for 62.6% of these exports, totaling USD 52.13 billion. While copper saw a monthly dip in August, its year-to-date total rose by 19.3%. Notably, lithium returns nearly tripled to USD 4.332 billion, and gold exports doubled.

Non-mining exports also hit a record of USD 31.123 billion. The food industry reached a new high of USD 9.457 billion, driven by salmon, frozen raspberries, and horse mackerel. Other growing sectors include metalworking, machinery, and seeds. Fruit exports also showed recovery, with an 18.1% increase in August.

To support this economic growth and maintain competitiveness, the San Antonio Outer Port project is being developed. This infrastructure project aims to expand port capacity in central Chile by providing deeper and more protected docking sites. Experts suggest the project is essential to prevent future saturation and manage logistics costs, though they emphasize that success depends on improving land access and increasing rail transport participation.