The Forests of Chile








 The Forests of Chile




About 45% of Chile?s total land area is potential land for forestry. The
forest resource in Chile is divided into the native forest and commercial
plantations. The native forest area is 13,443,316 hectares or 17.8% of
the total national area, while plantations cover 1,914,486 hectares (2.8%
total national area).

The native forest is noted for its diverse hardwood species. This forest
is principally used in the production for the domestic market, for
woodchip exports to Asia, and other products export to Europe. This
native resource represents 85.9 % of the total forest in Chile.
Evergreens dominate in the native forest, accounting for 4,350,814 (32%
of the total native forest), with Lenga (Nothofagus pumilio) covering
3,400,346 hectares, and other Nothofagus sp. An important area of this
forest is protected by the Chilean Forestry Services under the
classification of SNASPE (national parks, natural monuments, etc).

Commercial plantations cover an area of 1,914,486 hectares. 75% of these
plantations are Pinus radiata, with the remaining 25% are composed of
Eucalyptus, poplar, and others The purpose of these forests is the
production of supplies for the pulp and paper, panel, and lumber industry
which are the support of the Chilean forestry industry and the export of
the sector.  Over the last five years the annual plantation rate has
reached 100 thousand hectares.

Every year, forestry exports account for more than 14% of the national
total exports, giving employment to a hundred thousand people. In 1999
the forestry products export was $FOB 1,955 million.
For more information see:

  Chilean Forest resources
   Exports Chilean products
   Principal Markets


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