The Central Bank of Chile published preliminary March Imacec data showing economic activity down 0.1% from a year earlier. On a seasonally adjusted basis, Imacec rose 0.3% from the previous month and 0.3% over 12 months. The result reflected a contraction in goods production that was partly offset by gains in services and trade, while the non-mining Imacec increased 0.9% year on year and 0.5% month on month on a seasonally adjusted basis. Goods production fell 5.2% year on year, with declines across mining, manufacturing and other goods. Lower copper extraction weighed on mining, while agriculture and forestry, extractive fishing and weaker fishery product processing also contributed. Trade grew 5.1% year on year, with gains across wholesale, retail and automotive activity, and rose 1.9% from the previous month on a seasonally adjusted basis. Services increased 2.1% year on year, led by personal services, particularly healthcare, with additional support from business services and transportation, and advanced 0.4% month on month on a seasonally adjusted basis. Under the National Accounts release schedule, preliminary gross domestic product results for the first quarter will be published on Monday, 18 May.
Central Bank of Chile 2026-05-04
Central Bank of Chile reports March Imacec down 0.1% year on year as goods production contracts
The Central Bank of Chile reported preliminary March Imacec data showing overall economic activity down 0.1% year on year but up 0.3% on a seasonally adjusted monthly and 12‑month basis. A 5.2% year‑on‑year contraction in goods production, driven by lower mining, manufacturing and other goods, was partly offset by gains in trade and services, while non‑mining Imacec rose 0.9% year on year and 0.5% month on month. Preliminary first‑quarter GDP figures will follow under the National Accounts release schedule.