Exports

Before getting into the details of the export industries of Chile, I feel it is important to note the history it has faced since the arrival of the Spanish. Since the Spanish came in search of gold, it is obvious that gold was the first mineral taken out of Chile and sent to Peru. However, Chile did not have large gold deposits, so that export soon ceased. With the lack of gold or other desired materials coming from the era, the Spanish implemented trade restrictions which held the economy at a stand still until the early 1800s. The restrictions had the biggest effect of the wine and mining industries. It was not until the ideas of Diego Portales in 1830 that Chile was seen as a stable state open to foreign trade. Since the country has been seen as one of the most stable and prosperous states in South America. Yes the economy has suffered some downfalls but that is to be expected of any economy.

Today, Chile’s main exports include the sectors of agriculture: salmon, forestry, wine, and mining. Chile is the second largest exporter of salmon in the world. The forestry industry in Chile is expanding rapidly each year over the past few years. The wine that is exported out of Chile is, and I do not say this lightly, some of the best there is. I have visited several wineries and had the pleasure of trying wines from all over the world, and it really is incredible. Mining is not only one of the largest sectors of exports but it is also one of the largest sectors of the labor force. The Chilean copper industry produces 1/3 of the entire world’s copper.

The five top countries that Chile exports to (in order of largest percentage to smallest) are China, the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Brazil.