Overview

• Exports reached US$8.729 billion in August, up 28.6% year over year and the highest monthly total on record, according to CIEN-ADEX.
• Cumulative shipments for January–August totaled US$55.64 billion, an 18.8% increase from a year earlier, producing a trade surplus of US$16.151 billion.
• Mining led the expansion with US$36.611 billion in exports (+21.6%), with copper export value up 16.7% and gold up 42.7%, supported by stronger prices.
• Official data identify China as the top destination at US$20.733 billion, while exporters’ reports highlight the United States as leading in their market-share breakdowns.
• Performance was uneven, with steep August drops in jewelry, wood, non‑metallic mining, primary fishing and apparel, even as 8,475 firms sold to 166 markets and most were MSMEs.