Chile Industrial Output Falls for 2nd Month

Chile’s industrial production fell 2.7% year-on-year in September 2026, easing from a 5.7% decline in August. The contraction was driven by mining output, which dropped 8.7%, although the decline narrowed from 11.7% in the previous month. Mining activity remained in contraction for a second consecutive month, reflecting a 12% fall in metallic mining and a 15.1% drop in copper extraction and processing. In contrast, manufacturing output rebounded by 2%, following a 2.6% decline in August, while utilities production increased 0.8%, slowing from 1% growth. On a monthly basis, industrial production rose 2.7%, recovering from a 2.2% drop in the previous month.

Chile’s industrial production declined 5.7% year-on-year in August 2026, accelerating from a 5.1% fall in the previous month. The declined was led by a 11.7% fall in mining output, reflecting lower activity recorded in metallic mining (-16.9%) largely due to a 12.8% decline in copper extraction and processing as a storm that occurred in July disrupted production operations and left lingering effects throughout August. Conversely, non-metallic mining increased by 22.3%. Manufacturing output fell 2.6%, slowing from a 4.9% drop. Meanwhile, production in utilities rose 1%, accelerating from a 0.3% rise in the prior month. On a monthly basis, industrial production fell 2.2%, easing from a 3.8% decline.

Chile’s industrial production declined 5.1% year-on-year in July 2026, reversing a 1.3% increase in June. The contraction was led by mining, which fell 7.2%, mainly due to a 10.7% decline in metal mining as copper extraction and processing dropped 9.4%. The decline was attributed to unfavorable weather conditions in northern Chile that disrupted production, along with maintenance work at major mining operations. Manufacturing output fell 4.9%, largely due to a 25.9% drop in coke and refined petroleum products, as weather-related disruptions affected gasoline and diesel production. In contrast, utilities output increased 0.3%, supported by a 0.8% rise in electricity generation, particularly from hydroelectric plants. On a monthly basis, industrial production fell 3.8%.