infrastructure

The Indonesian-Chilean Chamber of Commerce and Culture is closely monitoring the recent developments in international trade and exports. We are particularly concerned about the potential impact of the United States' 10% tariff on forest imports, announced by President Donald Trump in late September. This tariff could significantly affect the economy of the Biobío Region in Chile, given the importance of the timber industry there.

On a brighter note, we are pleased to report that Peru's mining exports grew by 16.6% in the first half of 2025, reaching US$ 26.553 billion. The main products driving this growth are copper and gold. This positive trend in the mining sector is a promising sign for the economy of the region.

Meanwhile, Indonesia is preparing to expand its foreign trade in Africa and Latin America starting next year. This strategic move is aimed at diversifying export destinations and strengthening economic ties with emerging regions. Negotiations are currently underway with various African countries, including South Africa, with the aim of opening new regional trade agreements.

In the face of global economic uncertainty, the copper market has once again come into focus. The London Metal Exchange (LME) reported a 0.33% increase in the price of copper, trading at US$10,413.5 per metric tonne. This surge is due to a combination of geopolitical, economic, and productive factors in the world's two main suppliers: Chile and Indonesia.

Chile, the world's largest copper producer, is facing a severe drop in production. According to the National Institute of Statistics (INE), copper production fell by 9.9% year-on-year in August, the most significant decrease in over two years. This decline reflects structural problems ranging from lower mineral grades to labor and climate conflicts that have affected operational continuity in several mines in the Andean country.

On the maritime front, Puerto Coronel has been ranked as the best-performing maritime terminal in Chile. Additionally, the international bidding process for the San Antonio Outer Port, a US$4.45 billion megaproject and the largest in the country's history, has attracted five prequalified companies, confirming global interest in one of Chile's most significant infrastructure works in the coming decades.

• Analizan impactos de aranceles a exportaciones forestales de la Región (Diarioconcepcion.cl)
• Exportaciones mineras del Perú crecieron 16,6% en el primer semestre de 2025 (Redimin.cl)
• Indonesia busca ampliar su comercio exterior en África y América Latina - teleSUR (Telesurtv.net)
• El cobre sube ante riesgos de suministro en Chile e Indonesia - .:: Minería en Línea ::. (Mineriaenlinea.com)
• Ranking mundial sitúa a Puerto Coronel como el terminal marítimo con mejor desempeño en Chile | Soychile.cl (Soy-chile.cl)
• Puerto Exterior: Chile atrae a los principales actores globales de la industria portuaria | Marca Chile (Marcachile.cl)

The Indonesian-Chilean Chamber of Commerce and Culture takes note of the significant increase in Chilean exports, emphasizing the role of the Antofagasta region, which recorded an annual growth of 64.1% in March 2025, totaling 3.511,7 million dollars. This increase is a testament to the strong economic ties between the two nations and the potential for further growth.

Despite the impressive growth in exports, Álvaro Peña, advisor of the CPI, warns about the logistical challenges that Chile faces. He stresses that "a mega port without efficient connectivity is a bottleneck," highlighting the limitations of the country's port and road system in responding to the growing export demand. The Chamber acknowledges these challenges and supports initiatives to improve the country's infrastructure.

Chile's forestry exports also saw a growth of 4.9% in the first quarter of 2025, reaching US$1.602,5 million. This growth, driven by the demand for cellulose, was led by China, the United States, and the Netherlands. Despite a challenging international context, the forestry sector has managed to maintain a positive performance.

Furthermore, non-copper and non-lithium exports from Valparaíso grew by 57.9% in 2025, with the agricultural sector leading the shipments with more than US$ 695 million. This growth was boosted by grapes, cherries, and avocados. ProChile highlights the internationalization of regional companies.

While Chile's blueberry exports were overtaken by Peru in 2024, the quality of Chilean exports continues to be recognized internationally. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of the Republic of Korea (MFDS) recently conducted an audit in four salmon processing plants located in the Los Lagos region, all of them with regular exports to the Korean market. The MFDS inspectors highlighted the high quality of the Chilean salmon exported and the strict compliance with international food safety standards.

• Región de Antofagasta aumenta más de 64% sus exportaciones en marzo - PortalPortuario (Portalportuario.cl)
• “Un megapuerto sin conectividad eficiente es un cuello de botella”: consejero del CPI advierte sobre desafíos logísticos de Chile (Soychile.cl)
• Exportaciones forestales crecen 4,9% en el primer trimestre impulsadas por la demanda de celulosa - Trade-news (Trade-news.cl)
• Exportaciones no cobre ni litio de Valparaíso crecen 57,9% en 2025 (Soychile.cl)
• Perú triplica ingresos de Chile por exportaciones de arándanos en 2024 (Soychile.cl)
• Corea del Sur destaca la calidad del salmón chileno exportado (Aqua.cl)

The Chilean Chamber of Commerce and Culture reports significant progress in the expansion of Chile's export markets, with Indonesia opening its doors to six key Chilean fruit products. The Asian nation will now import Chilean blueberries, cherries, kiwis, grapes, and both shelled and unshelled dry nuts, all in frozen format. This move is seen as a strategic opportunity to diversify the export destinations of Chile's fruit industry.

Chile's Acting Minister of Agriculture, Ignacia Fernández, stressed the importance of market diversification, a key strategy within the sustainable agro-export agenda promoted by President Gabriel Boric's Government. Special priority is given to the situation in Asia. This news comes amid calls for diversification in the Maule Region's agriculture, which has suffered due to a 50% drop in cherry prices in the Chinese market and issues with the Maersk Saltoro ship, which delayed the delivery of predominantly Maule-produced fruit to the Asian port of Nansha.

In addition to efforts in the agricultural sector, Chile is also looking to boost its infrastructure projects. The nation is pushing for the advancement of the Bioceanic Road Corridor, a mega infrastructure project that will connect different areas of the region. Digital integration through the Humboldt Project was also discussed.

Chile's commitment to sustainability is further emphasized by the official launch of the national plan to combat climate change. The Agricultural and Livestock Service of Tarapacá has begun efforts to control a fruit fly outbreak in Miñi Miñe and has provided motor pumps to strengthen irrigation in indigenous communities of Tarapacá.

Lastly, Chilean forestry exports closed 2024 with a total of USD 6.370,7 million, a 14.7% increase compared to the previous year. This growth is attributed to the recovery of international demand and an increase in sales of key products such as chemical pulp and sawn wood. Non-copper, non-lithium exports from the Magallanes Region also saw a significant 79.6% boost in January.

• Indonesia se convierte en nuevo mercado para la exportación de frutas chilenas – La Discusión (Ladiscusion.cl)
• “Debemos diversificar nuestra agricultura maulina y la manzana está de vuelta... se está convirtiendo en una muy buena alternativa” - Diario La Prensa (New.diariolaprensa.cl)
• Bilateral: Peña y Boric abordaron el avance del Corredor Bioeánico Vial - Cooperativa.cl (Cooperativa.cl)
• Chile oficializa plan nacional para enfrentar el cambio climático  (Radiopaulina.cl)
• Exportaciones forestales chilenas suben 14,7% en 2024 - PortalPortuario (Portalportuario.cl)
• Exportaciones no cobre no litio de Magallanes del mes de enero aumentaron un 79,6% (Prochile.gob.cl)