Chile exports 2026: a record and what it means
Chile exported US$93,837 million in January-September 2026. What Subrei's figures say and how to read them if you sell there.
Published on 30 October 2026Updated on 30 October 2026
Luis Sanz FiguerasFounder de Exporta.ai
Photo: Pexels
Chile exported goods worth US$93,837 million between January and September 2026, 18.5 % more than a year earlier and the first time this period has passed US$90,000 million. The trade surplus, US$25,721 million, is the largest in its history. For an SME that sells to Chile, or wants to, it signals an active economy, not a measure of import demand.
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What Subrei has published
Chile's Undersecretariat for International Economic Relations (Subrei) published its preliminary foreign trade report on 15 October 2026. Between January and September, total trade reached US$166,985 million, 12.9 % more than in the same period of 2025.
The trade surplus was US$25,721 million, US$10,512 million above 2025's and the largest on record; the previous record, US$20,373 million, dated from 2007. September alone brought US$10,584 million in goods exports, 14.1 % more.
Source: Subsecretaría de Relaciones Económicas Internacionales (Chile) – Informe de comercio exteriorData for enero-septiembre 2026
Chile's exports by sector
US$ million and %, Jan-Sep 2026 · enero-septiembre 2026| Item | US$ million | Annual change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Goods exports | 93,837 | 18.5 |
| Mining | 58,873 | 25.7 |
| Non-mining | 34,963 | 8.2 |
| Food industry | 10,712 | 5.2 |
| Salmon | 4,770 | 8 |
| Services | 2,718 | 17.3 |
Food industry and salmon are part of non-mining exports. Copper reached US$49,247 million and lithium US$4,745 million.
Source: Subsecretaría de Relaciones Económicas Internacionales (Chile) – Informe de comercio exteriorData for enero-septiembre 2026
Destinations and firms
China received US$31,089 million (33.1 % of the total, up 9 %) and the United States US$15,967 million (17 %, up 21.3 %). Of the additional US$14,673 million Chile exported, 63.4 % went to markets other than China and the United States. Subrei notes that India displaced Brazil as the fifth-largest destination for Chilean copper.
8,029 firms exported, 3 % more than in 2025 and the highest figure for this period. Services exports reached US$2,718 million, with a record US$960 million in digital services.
Source: Subsecretaría de Relaciones Económicas Internacionales (Chile) – Informe de comercio exteriorData for enero-septiembre 2026
How to read these figures if you sell to Chile
These are figures for what Chile sells abroad. They do not measure what Chile buys: demand for a specific product is read from imports of its tariff heading, country by country. Two thirds of exports are mining, and that activity depends on the copper price, which Subrei puts at an average of US$6.09 per pound.
The useful reading for an SME is different: a market with more exporting firms, more services and a growing weight of food and fishing has more activity to supply. Before deciding, check the tariff and preferential origin Chile applies to your product in Access2Markets, and validate with importers in the sector whether there is room for your offer.
Source: Subsecretaría de Relaciones Económicas Internacionales (Chile) – Informe de comercio exteriorData for enero-septiembre 2026
How Exporta helps you
With Exporta you can open the market report for Chile for your product and see tariffs, demand and competition before investing time. Find customers gives you importers and distributors in the sector with the decision-maker.
Then the CRM sends your proposals from your own email and Xport, the assistant, does a good part of the work for you.
How much did Chile export between January and September 2026?
It exported goods worth US$93,837 million, 18.5 % more than in the same period of 2025, according to Subrei's preliminary report published on 15 October 2026.
What does this say about Chilean import demand?
Nothing directly. The figure measures exports. Demand for your product is studied through imports of its tariff heading in Chile.
Which sectors are growing most in Chilean exports?
Mining, with US$58,873 million and 25.7 % more, and services, with US$2,718 million and 17.3 % more. The food industry reached US$10,712 million, 5.2 % more.
Where do I check the tariff for my product in Chile?
In Access2Markets, the European Commission tool, for a company exporting from the European Union. It shows the tariff, preferential origin and access requirements.
Check the tariffs on your product in Chile
Try Exporta for free and check the market report for Chile for your tariff heading.