Economy, Forestry and Fishing

Situated mainly in mountain areas distant from centers of population, the 34.6 million hectares (85.6 million acres) of forest are relatively unused. Among the most exploited woods are elm and willow, for cellulose production; white quebracho, for fuel; red quebracho, for tannin (used for tanning leather); and cedar, for the manufacture of furniture. Other economically important woods are oak, araucaria, pine, and cypress.

Argentina’s fisheries, potentially highly productive, have not been fully exploited, although production increased steadily in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1997 the catch was 1,352,400 metric tons. Two-thirds of the annual catch is typically Argentine hake.