Chile: A look at the most important pork trade figures in 2021

Historically, Chile has been characterized by maintaining a surplus trade balance in which pork exports have largely exceeded imports. However, in the last 10 years, the level of imports has grown significantly year after year, while exports, despite exhibiting a growing trend in the last decade, showed a significant drop in 2021.

According to foreign trade data published by Chile's Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (ODEPA), since 2012 Chile's pork exports have increased by 62.5%, going from 169,069 t to 274,732 t in 2021. On the other hand, we find that imports grew by 623.6% in the last decade, from 20,154 t in 2012 to 145,830 t in 2021.

Chile's international trade breakdown in 2021

Exports

• Chile's export volume in 2021 decreased by 5.1% compared to 2020, from 289,390 t to 274,732 t.
• The value of pork exports in the last year stood at $785 million FOB.
• 86.9% of exports went to the Asian market, with China being the leading destination with 177,328 tons.
• The main export items were frozen pork and offal (41%), boneless pork (10.4%), and bone-in cuts of legs and shoulders (10%).

Imports

• In 2021, Chilean pork imports reached 145,830 t, up 38.5% compared to 2020 (105,297 t), this is the highest annual volume seen in the last 10 years.
• Imports were valued at US$423 million CIF.
• The main suppliers were Brazil (40.6%), the United States (22%), and Germany (21.7%). These three countries accounted for 84.2% of the total share of imports.
• The main products imported were other frozen pork, as well as frozen boneless pork and loins.