Chile: Key Industries

Mining forms the backbone of the Chilean economy, and few countries depend as heavily on a single resource. Chile holds the world's largest copper reserves and is by far the largest producer, supplying roughly a quarter of global output; state-owned Codelco and a cluster of private mining companies operate large-scale operations across the Atacama Desert and the central Andes. The country also holds the world's largest known lithium reserves and ranks as the second-largest producer of the metal, positioning it as a major supplier for global battery and electric-vehicle manufacturing.

Beyond mining, Chile's temperate central valleys and Mediterranean climate support a substantial agricultural export sector. Its Southern Hemisphere growing season allows producers to ship fresh grapes, cherries, blueberries, and apples to Northern Hemisphere markets during their winter months, and Chilean wine has built a strong international reputation. The southern fjords and coastal waters sustain one of the world's largest salmon farming industries, while forestry plantations of radiata pine and eucalyptus supply wood pulp, panels, and lumber for export.

This export orientation shapes Chile's trade relationships. As of 2026, China remains Chile's largest trading partner by a wide margin, accounting for roughly a third of the country's total trade, driven largely by copper and lithium purchases, with the United States as the second-largest partner. Chile has also pursued an extensive network of free trade agreements over the past two decades, reflecting a long-standing economic strategy built around open trade and resource exports.