Chile’s copper production dropped 13.8% year-on-year to 399,954 metric tons in April 2026, following a 9% decline in the previous month. Output was pressured by a high comparison base and lower ore grades at major producers, weighing on extraction and processing activity. The decline in Chile, the world’s largest copper producer, heightened concerns about tightening global copper supply. source: National Institute of Statistics, Chile

Copper Production in Chile decreased to 399.95 Thousands of Tonnes in April from 434.49 Thousands of Tonnes in March of 2026. Copper Production in Chile averaged 465.40 Thousands of Tonnes from 2011 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 567.13 Thousands of Tonnes in December of 2024 and a record low of 356.20 Thousands of Tonnes in February of 2011. This page provides - Chile Copper Production- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Chile Copper Production - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Copper Production in Chile decreased to 399.95 Thousands of Tonnes in April from 434.49 Thousands of Tonnes in March of 2026. Copper Production in Chile is expected to be 485.00 Thousands of Tonnes by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Chile Copper Production is projected to trend around 510.00 Thousands of Tonnes in 2027 and 530.00 Thousands of Tonnes in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-04-30 01:00 PM
Copper Production YoY
Mar -9% -4.8% 10.9%
2026-05-29 01:00 PM
Copper Production YoY
Apr -13.8% -9% -1.0%
2026-06-30 01:00 PM
Copper Production YoY
May -13.8%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Copper Production YoY 399.95 434.49 Thousands of Tonnes Apr 2026
Industrial Production YoY -4.70 -3.40 percent Apr 2026
Industrial Production Mom -0.20 -0.90 percent Apr 2026
Manufacturing Production YoY -2.50 -4.40 percent Apr 2026
Mining Production -9.00 -3.70 percent Apr 2026


Chile Copper Production
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
399.95 434.49 567.13 356.20 2011 - 2026 Thousands of Tonnes Monthly

News Stream
Chile Copper Output Falls Sharply in April
Chile’s copper production dropped 13.8% year-on-year to 399,954 metric tons in April 2026, following a 9% decline in the previous month. Output was pressured by a high comparison base and lower ore grades at major producers, weighing on extraction and processing activity. The decline in Chile, the world’s largest copper producer, heightened concerns about tightening global copper supply.
2026-05-29
Chile Copper Production Lowest in 9 Years
Chile’s copper production dropped 4.8% year over year to 378,554 metric tons in February, marking its lowest level since March 2017. On a rolling 12-month basis, output has now declined for seven consecutive months, largely due to challenges in projects targeting higher-grade ore. Although no major disruptions were reported during the month, seasonal factors such as heavy rains in northern Chile and rough seas can hinder logistics during the summer. Chile’s downturn is significant given its dominant role in global copper supply, amplifying concerns about tightening availability across the market. Those constraints were a key factor behind the surge in prices to record levels in January. Compared to January, February production was down 8.5%.
2026-03-31
Chile Slashes 2025 Copper Growth Forecast on Mine Disruptions
Chile’s state copper commission, Cochilco, cut its 2025 output growth forecast to 1.5% from 3% previously, citing a June production drop at BHP’s Escondida mine and Collahuasi. Production in the world’s top copper exporter is still expected to reach 5.58 million metric tons this year, with average copper prices for 2025–2026 maintained at $4.30/lb. Cochilco warned the June decline was “a turning point” and that a deadly collapse at Codelco’s El Teniente mine could pose a “significant risk of supply disruption.” For 2026, it kept growth at 3% but lowered output estimates to 5.75 million tons. Globally, prices are expected to stay high due to limited concentrate supply and strong demand, especially from China and other emerging economies, with demand for refined copper set to hit 27 million tons in 2026. China is projected to consume 15.7 million tons in 2025, while India’s demand is expected to rise 7.5%, driven by industrialization and the energy transition.
2025-08-13