Chile’s manufacturing sector contracted sharply at the start of 2026, with production falling 3.8% year-over-year in January, according to data updated on 27 February 2026. The decline marks a significant reversal from December 2025, when manufacturing output posted a marginal 0.1% increase compared with the same month a year earlier.
The figures are based on year-over-year comparisons, meaning January 2026 output is measured against January 2025 levels, while December’s reading was relative to December 2024. The move from a flat to slightly positive reading in December to a pronounced negative print in January highlights renewed weakness in Chile’s industrial base at the turn of the year.
The January downturn in manufacturing production is likely to draw attention from analysts tracking the health of Chile’s broader economy, given the sector’s role in export performance, employment and investment sentiment. Market participants will now look to upcoming monthly releases for signs of whether this decline proves temporary or signals a more persistent slowdown in industrial activity.
