Chile - Balança Comercial

Chile's trade surplus narrowed to USD 110 million in November 2019 from USD 359 million in the corresponding month of the previous year. Exports dropped 12 percent to USD 5281 million, mainly due to lower sales of mining products (-9.5 percent), in particular copper (-8.7 percent); manufactured products (-15.7 percent), namely food (-13.2 percent), cellulose, paper & others (-38.3 percent), wood furniture (-32.6 percent), and beverages & tobacco (-10.3 percent); and agricultural, forestry and fishing (-6.7 percent), of which fruits (-4.7 percent). Imports declined 8.3 percent to USD 5171 million, mostly due to purchases of intermediate goods (-6.2 percent), in particular energetic products (-18.3 percent); consumption goods (-11.8 percent), mainly durable (-21 percent), other goods (-8.2 percent) and semi-durable (-1.9 percent); and capital (-6.9 percent).

Chile's trade deficit decreased slightly to USD 310 million in October 2019 from USD 313 million in the corresponding month of the previous year. Exports sank 20.7 percent to USD 5,257 million, mainly due to lower shipments of mining products (-21.2 percent), in particular copper (-22.5 percent) and iron (-52.2 percent); manufactured products (-19 percent), of which food (-8.5 percent), chemicals (-13.1 percent), pulp, paper & others (-34.1 percent) and farming, forestry and fishing (-30.3 percent), mostly fruits (-33 percent). Imports slumped 19.7 percent to USD 5,654 million, amid reduced purchases of intermediate goods (-17.8 percent), namely petrol (-27.5 percent); capital goods (-20.6 percent), of which trucks & cargo vehicles (-34.8 percent), other machinery (-9.6 percent) and consumer goods (-22.3 percent), such as vehicles (-23.8 percent) and clothing (-8.1 percent).

Chile’s trade deficit narrowed slightly to USD 20 million in September 2019 from USD 23.4 million in the corresponding month of the previous year. It was the smallest trade gap since December 2015, as imports dropped 6.2 percent over a year earlier to USD 5,224 million mainly due to lower purchases of consumer goods (-12.9 percent); namely durable (-21.9 percent) and semi-durable (-9.2 percent); intermediate goods (-1.5 percent), in particular energetic products (-3.4 percent); and capital goods (-5.5 percent) led by trucks & cargo vehicles (-18.7 percent). Exports fell 6.1 percent to USD 5,205 million, mostly due to lower sales of mining products (-7.4 percent), of which copper (-4.2 percent); and manufacturing (-5 percent), mainly wood & wood products (-23.5 percent) and cellulose, paper & others (-32.7 percent).

Chile recorded a trade surplus of USD 143 million in August of 2019 compared to a EUR 324 million deficit in the same month of the previous year. Exports dropped 4.5 percent to USD 5,952 million, the seventh straight month of decrease, dragged down by lower sales of manufacturing products (-14.4%), mostly food (-6.5%); chemicals (-14.4%); wood & wood products (-21.9%) and basic metals (-31.4%). In contrast, shipments of mining products rose (7.8%), particularly copper (10.3%) and molybdenum (4.4%). Meantime, imports fell 11.4 percent to USD 5,809 million, dragged down by lower purchases of consumer goods (-13.9%); namely both durable (-14.5%) and semi-durable goods (-17.3%); intermediate goods (-11.0%), of which crude oil (-46.3%) and carbon mineral (-31.1%); and capital goods (-6.7 percent).

Chile recorded a trade deficit of USD 29 million in July 2019 compared to a USD 278 million surplus in the same month a year ago. It was the first trade shortfall since last October. Exports fell 4.6 percent to USD 5770 million, the sixth straight month of decrease, dented by lower sales of mining products (-9.5%), namely copper (-10%); iron (-10.2%) and silver (-51.3%). In contrast, shipments rose for manufactured products (1.1%), mostly food (4%); chemicals (3.2%); wood & wood products (8.8%); and agricultural, forestry & fishing goods (0.3%). On the other hand, imports went up 0.5 percent to USD 5799 million, after four consecutive months of decline, boosted by purchases of capital goods (12.2%), namely machinery for construction and mining (99.1%) and other machinery (10.3%). Meanwhile, imports fell for intermediate goods (-6.2%), of which diesel (-34%) and consumption goods (-5.8%), such as vehicles (-20.9%) and clothes (-13.8%).

Chile recorded a trade surplus of USD 317 million in June 2019 compared to a USD 297 million surplus in the same month a year ago. It was the lowest trade surplus since December. Exports fell 15.6 percent to USD 5304 million, the most since December 2015, dragged down by lower shipments of mining products (-16.3 percent), namely copper (-14 percent); iron (-61.7 percent); silver (-14.6 percent); gold (-31.6 percent) and molybdenum (-32.7 percent). Sales also declined for manufactured products (-13.8 percent) and agricultural, forestry & fishing goods (-19.4 percent). Meantime, imports slipped 16.7 percent to USD 4986 million, the most since December 2015, amid falling purchases of intermediate goods (-20.6 percent); consumption goods (-18.3 percent) and capital goods (-1.1 percent).