Chilean Forestry

Abstract

Since 1990, Chilean forestry has been facing important changes in its institutional scenario. New legislation for native forests has been discussed for at least six years. The incentives program for plantation forestry is now focussed on fragile and degraded soils and on small landowners. The law for wildland protected system will be announced to include private ownership. Also changes to improve the performance of state forestry agencies are being analyzed. New policy tools are being incorporated to address social values. International trade of forest products has also experienced some important changes over this period. New manufactured products are being exported to North America, and exports to Asian countries have increased. At the same time, forest products imports have increased as the domestic economy grows. Recent timber supply projections show an increasing availability of quality logs.