Chile - Germany Trade 2025 Q1: Volatile Growth & Deficit
Key Market Takeaways: Chile - Germany Trade
The bilateral trade relationship between Chile and Germany showed volatile growth with a net importer reliance in Q1 2025.
- Economic Pulse: Chile posted a $234.66M trade deficit with Germany, importing $642.56M (58% more than its $407.90M exports). Volatility marked both sides, with wild YoY swings in monthly trade flows.
- Exchange Structure: Chile - Germany trade statistics reveal a resource-for-tech swap—Chile supplies 65.69% of its exports as ores (HS 26), while Germany dominates with machinery (HS 84 at 26.88% of imports).
- Strategic Interdependence: Highly complementary but unequal: Germany captures higher value-add, while Chile remains a critical raw material supplier.
This bilateral trade snapshot is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.
Chile-Germany Trade Trend in Q1 2025
Chile Export Performance: Shipments to Germany
- Total Volume: Q1 2025 exports to Germany totaled $407.90M.
- Growth Trend & Context:
- Volatile YoY performance: -28.28% contraction in January, followed by +107.8% surge in February, and +76.28% growth in March. No news context to explain swings.
- Key Volatility: February saw a 186.92% MoM spike (likely one-off orders), while March dropped -49.22% MoM.
Chile Import Performance: Sourcing from Germany
- Total Volume: Q1 2025 imports from Germany reached $642.56M.
- Growth Trend & Context:
- Mixed YoY trends: -17.74% decline in January, -4.85% in February, but +12.29% rebound in March. No news drivers cited.
- Key Volatility: March imports jumped 34.54% MoM, offsetting February’s -23.42% drop.
Chile - Germany Trade Balance & Market Dynamics
- Net Position: Chile recorded a trade deficit of $234.66M (Imports > Exports).
- Relationship Status: Net importer reliance on German goods, with imports 58% higher than exports. Volatility in both directions suggests uneven demand or supply chain adjustments.
Chile Import Trend from Germany 2025 Q1 (Source: yTrade)**
| Month | Value | MoM | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 229.81M | 2.07% | -17.74% |
| Feb | 175.98M | -23.42% | -4.85% |
| Mar | 236.77M | 34.54% | 12.29% |
| Total | 642.56M | - | - |
Chile Export Trend to Germany 2025 Q1 (Source: yTrade)**
| Month | Value | MoM | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 76.58M | -38.52% | -28.28% |
| Feb | 219.74M | 186.92% | 107.8% |
| Mar | 111.57M | -49.22% | 76.28% |
| Total | 407.90M | - | - |
Get Historical Chile Germany Trade Records
Chile-Germany Top Trading Products in Q1 2025
Chile Export Profile: What Does Chile Sell to Germany
- Top Commodity: Rank #1 export is HS 26 (Ores, slag, and ash) at 65.69% of total exports to Germany.
- Demand Driver: Germany uses these raw materials for industrial processing, likely in metal production or manufacturing.
- Concentration: Trade is highly concentrated, with HS 26 alone accounting for over 65% of exports.
Chile Import Profile: What Does Chile Buy from Germany
- Top Commodity: Rank #1 import is HS 84 (Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery) at 26.88% of total imports from Germany.
- Dependency Nature: Critical technology dependency, as Chile relies on German machinery for industrial or energy infrastructure.
Chile - Germany Trade Relationship Dynamics
- The Exchange Model: Resource-for-Tech Complementarity. Chile exports raw materials (ores) and imports high-value machinery, reflecting a classic resource-for-technology swap.
- Value Chain Position: Germany holds the higher value-add position, supplying advanced machinery while Chile provides low-margin raw materials.
Import Analysis by Product: Germany to Chile (Source: yTrade)
| HS Code | Value | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 84 | 172.71M | 26.88% |
| 87 | 102.70M | 15.98% |
| 30 | 72.82M | 11.33% |
| 90 | 42.09M | 6.55% |
| 85 | 39.18M | 6.10% |
| 38 | 26.71M | 4.16% |
| 39 | 24.44M | 3.80% |
| 40 | 18.72M | 2.91% |
| 73 | 18.48M | 2.88% |
| 33 | 9.71M | 1.51% |
Export Analysis by Product: Chile to Germany (Source: yTrade)
| HS Code | Value | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | 267.97M | 65.69% |
| 08 | 60.71M | 14.88% |
| 74 | 16.84M | 4.13% |
| 23 | 12.25M | 3.00% |
| 47 | 12.03M | 2.95% |
| 22 | 8.43M | 2.07% |
| 03 | 6.52M | 1.60% |
| 28 | 3.67M | 0.90% |
| 02 | 3.52M | 0.86% |
| 20 | 3.36M | 0.82% |
Check Detailed Chile-Germany Trade HS Code Breakdown
Future Outlook & Strategic Recommendations
Forecast
Chile’s trade with Germany in Q1 2025 showed extreme volatility, with erratic swings in both exports and imports. Given the heavy reliance on ores (HS 26) as the primary export and machinery (HS 84) as the dominant import, the Chile-Germany trade forecast suggests continued instability unless structural shifts occur. The trade deficit is unlikely to narrow without diversification, as Germany maintains a firm grip on high-value exports while Chile remains dependent on raw material sales. Traders should brace for uneven demand, particularly in commodities, and prepare for potential supply chain disruptions.
Strategic Moves
- Diversify Export Markets: Chile must reduce reliance on ores by expanding into higher-value processed minerals or agricultural exports to Germany, mitigating price volatility risks.
- Lock in Long-Term Machinery Contracts: Importers should secure multi-year agreements for German machinery (HS 84) to hedge against sudden price spikes and ensure stable industrial supply chains.
- Monitor German Industrial Policy Closely: With Germany’s manufacturing sector driving demand for Chilean ores, traders must track EU regulatory changes or energy policies that could alter import needs abruptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Chile - Germany trade perform in 2025 Q1?
Chile's exports to Germany totaled $407.90M, showing volatile YoY growth, while imports from Germany reached $642.56M, with mixed trends. The trade balance showed a deficit of $234.66M for Chile.
What are the top exports from Chile to Germany?
The top export from Chile to Germany is HS 26 (Ores, slag, and ash), accounting for 65.69% of total exports, reflecting Chile's role as a raw material supplier.
What does Chile import from Germany?
Chile's top import from Germany is HS 84 (Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery), making up 26.88% of total imports, highlighting a dependency on German technology and industrial equipment.
What is the trade balance between Chile and Germany?
Chile recorded a trade deficit of $234.66M with Germany in Q1 2025, as imports exceeded exports by 58%, indicating a net importer reliance.
Chile - Germany Trade 2024 Q4: Deficit & Growth
Chile's trade deficit with Germany hit $308.67M in Q4 2024, with exports surging 81.77% YoY. Explore Chile-Germany trade trends and top trading products like ores (HS 26) and machinery (HS 84) via yTrade data.
Chile Gold Bullion HS7108 Export Data 2025 April Overview
Chile Gold Bullion (HS Code 7108) Export data from yTrade reveals Switzerland dominates 90.73% volume at lower prices, while the U.S. commands premium rates, signaling refining vs. specialized demand dynamics.
