Chile exported $104.12 billion in goods during the first ten months of 2026, crossing $100 billion for that period for the first time. Trade undersecretary Paula Estévez presented the result as evidence that foreign commerce remains a central source of growth amid a changing global environment.
Total trade reached $185.67 billion, 11.3 per cent more than a year earlier. Imports rose 5.2 per cent to $81.54 billion, while the trade balance produced a $28.27 billion surplus, an improvement of $11.06 billion over the same period of 2025.
Mining generated $65.23 billion, up 22.1 per cent. Copper alone contributed $54.66 billion and 52.5 per cent of all exported value, supported by an average price of $6.14 a pound; October's $6.59 average was the highest monthly level in the available series since 2005.
The composition also reveals vulnerabilities. October exports increased only 1.2 per cent, and mining shipments fell 3.2 per cent after copper-concentrate exports declined 15 per cent. Cathodes, lithium chemicals, salmon, silver, gold and manufactured goods prevented a broader monthly contraction.
Lithium exports rose 165 per cent to $5.17 billion, led by carbonate, while gold and silver reached record values for the period. Food exports also set a high at $12.11 billion, with salmon at $5.46 billion and frozen fruit supporting diversification beyond minerals.
Services added a different growth engine, surpassing $3 billion for the first ten months and rising 15.9 per cent. Aircraft maintenance generated $453 million, web and email hosting $390 million and information-technology consulting $167 million across 184 service categories.
Estévez's record therefore combines exceptional mineral prices with stronger food and knowledge exports. The policy challenge is to preserve market diversification and expand services so that future trade performance depends less on copper prices and more on capabilities that retain value inside Chile.
