Latin America's export engine is roaring: goods sales abroad projected up 20% in 2026

Latin America's exporters are having their strongest year since 2021. The UN's regional commission, CEPAL, projects the value of the region's goods exports will rise 20% in 2026 — powered by an 11% lift in prices and 9% more volume, with metals leading the way. The country stories underneath are striking: Peru's exports from January to July reached $63.5 billion, up 33%, while Mexico's first-half exports hit a record $389.72 billion, up 24.6%, with non-car manufacturing surging 37.6%. CEPAL is candid that the gains are concentrated and trade uncertainty remains — but for ports, mines, factories and the workers behind them, 2026 is shaping up as a year the region sells more of what it makes to more of the world.

SDG 8 · Decent work and economic growth — Mechanism: market force