Chile's Jan-Oct forestry exports grew 29.2 percent

SANTIAGO, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Chile's January-October forestry exports totaled $4.145 billion, an increase of 29.2 percent over the same period last year, the government said on Friday, led by booming demand for wood pulp.

The government forestry agency Infor said exports in October of $452 million were up 43 percent over the same month last year.

"The main reason for this increase is the strong rise in exports of wood pulp made from eucalyptus (up 145.9 percent) and from Monterrey pine (up 60.4 percent), which have been boosted by significant increases in volumes and slight increases in prices," Infor said.

Growth in demand for Chilean forestry products was led by China and Korea, as exports to those destinations surged 108.4 percent and 88.3 percent.

Exports to the United States fell due to the slump in construction. However, exports of wood panels increased 25.4 percent as other destinations took up the slack.

Chile's leading forestry companies are wood pulp manufacturers Copec COP.SN and CMPC CAR.SN, and wood panel manufacturer Masissa MSS.SN MYS.N.

(Reporting by Manuel Farias, Writing by Lisa Yulkowski; Editing by Marguerita Choy)