How much copper does Chile produce and export?
Chile is the largest producer of copper: 5.3 million tonnes in 2025, 23% of the world's 23 million tonnes (USGS MCS). It is the largest exporter by value: $31 billion in 2024, 29% of world exports of copper ores and concentrates (HS 2603) (CEPII BACI). Its biggest customer is China, which takes 68% of its copper exports by value.
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Chile's copper production
| World rank | Production (tonnes) | Share of world | Ten-year growth | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5.3 million tonnes | 23% | — | 2025 |
USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, MCS 2026.
Chile's copper exports
| World rank | Export value | Share of world exports | Quantity (tonnes) | Average value per tonne | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $31 billion | 29% | 13.2 million t | $2,343 | 2024 |
CEPII BACI international trade database (HS22, V202601), HS 2603 (Copper ores and concentrates).
Where Chile's copper goes
| Destination | Value | Share of Chile's exports |
|---|---|---|
| China | $20.9B | 68% |
| Japan | $5.4B | 18% |
| South Korea | $1.4B | 4.4% |
| India | $1.4B | 4.4% |
| Germany | $541M | 1.7% |
The copper price Chile sells into
The benchmark price, LME cash, grade A cathode, was $14,474/t in September 2026, up 45% over twelve months. Its five-year volatility is 16% a year, calmer in 23% of its earlier five-year windows. A single country's export price can differ from the benchmark: see trade price against benchmark. Monthly averages lag the market and are not investment advice. Copper price history.
Cite as: Commodity Origins, "Chile copper: production, exports and prices", https://commodityorigins.com/countries/CHL/copper/ (CC BY 4.0). Rankings count only countries reporting to the sources named; this page is shown only for top-five producers or exporters with at least 3% of the world total. Report an issue with this page.