The country's foreign trade figures for 2024 show a new milestone. Between January-July the number of Chilean exporting companies totaled 6,964 companies, an increase of 4.3% over the same period last year and the highest record for at least a similar period in the last 30 years, according to the advance of the monthly trade report prepared by the Directorate of Studies of the Undersecretariat of International Economic Relations (SUBREI), with data from the Central Bank and the National Customs Service.
In terms of the number of companies by industry, manufacturing topped the list with 3,838 exporters, followed by the agricultural industry (1,556), services (995), forestry (397), wine (365), fishing and aquaculture (311) and mining (236). In terms of trading partners, the number of companies exporting to the Pacific Alliance countries (2,653), followed by Mercosur (2,290), the United States (1,959), the European Union (1,879) and China (1,029) stood out.
Having more and more exporting companies is essential for the economic development of the country and its regions. And, especially, in the generation of more jobs, since these 6,964 companies with sales abroad generate a total of 1.1 million direct and formal jobs", says the Undersecretary of International Economic Relations, Claudia Sanhueza.
"Part of our challenge at SUBREI is to continue opening opportunities in the world for entrepreneurs, generating more instances of diversification in destinations and innovation in the exportable supply, which by extension will generate greater returns and welfare," added the authority.
The growth in the number of companies coincides with the increase in the value of total exports during the period January-July 2024. Shipments of goods reached US$ 57.81 billion, an increase of 3.3% compared to the same period in 2023, once again recording the highest value of our foreign sales for a similar period since records began.
Mining once again recorded a good performance, with shipments of US$ 32,447 million, an increase of 8.8% compared to the same period in 2023. Leading the sector's dynamism were copper concentrates, with shipments totaling US$ 17,288 million, its highest amount for a similar period and an increase of 32.3% compared to the first seven months of 2023. Other subsectors that contributed positively to the mining sector were gold (+24.3%) and iron (+10.3%), offsetting the drop in lithium carbonate shipments (-42.4%).
Food exports accumulated shipments for US$ 7,442 million, marking their highest value for a similar period. The sector's momentum is explained by the increase in agribusiness shipments ( +1.2%), dairy products (+7%), meats (+5%) and organic foods (+27%).
At the end of the period January-July 2024, shipments of fresh fruit began the second half of the year with a new record in foreign sales, totaling US$ 5.484 billion, a figure that reflects a 14.9% increase explained by the increase in shipments of cherries, grapes, plums, peaches, apples, kiwis and lemons.
The wine sector totaled foreign sales of US$924 million, up 5.4% compared to the same period in 2023, supported by the increase in the bottled wine category (+6.8%), offsetting the decline in bulk wine shipments (-0.87%). Thus, 82.5% of the sector's shipments corresponded to bottled wines, where blends with appellation of origin and the Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Carmenère and Merlot varieties, among others, stood out.
Pulp shipments totaled US$ 1,592 million, an increase of 14.9% compared to 2023.
"The accumulated export figures for the month of July show the strength of our export sector, which has once again reached record figures in several sectors. We also note very positively that destinations such as India, EFTA and the United Kingdom are leading the growth of our shipments, as these are precisely some of the markets where we are focusing our efforts to strengthen our trade relations," added Undersecretary Sanhueza.
Services Exports
In the first seven months of 2024, Chilean exports of services totaled US$ 1.6 billion, an increase of 33% compared to the same period in 2023, the highest value for a similar period since records have been kept.
Of the total services exported by the country during the year, 68 of them reached their own individual records, achieving their highest returns for a similar period. Among them, "hosting for websites and e-mails" (Cloud Centers), which remains the most exported service so far this year, with returns of US$ 234 million (+67%).
This is followed, in terms of value, by "maintenance and repair of aircraft" with US$ 210 million (+52%), "technical support in computer and information technology, via the Internet" for US$ 112 million (+12%), "information technology consulting" with foreign sales of US$ 63 million (+9%) and "design and development of information technology applications", which accumulated returns of US$ 51 million (+97%).
By destination, Chilean services have been directed to 117 markets, with the United States alone accounting for one third of shipments (US$ 539 million), followed by Peru with an 18% share (US$ 289 million) and Colombia in third place, accounting for 7.2% of returns (US$ 114 million).
Check the original note from the Undersecretariat of International Economic Relations by clicking here.
Other related news
