May 2026
77 articles
MAE Sets Oil-Production Roadmap Around Stabilization, Private Marginal Fields
Ecuador's Ministry of Environment and Energy has outlined a roadmap to stabilize crude output and bring private operators into marginal fields, El Universo reports. Petroecuador production fell 2.55% in the first four months of 2026, while national fiscalized output averaged 458,732 bpd.
Plasticaucho Targets Football and Running With 50,000-Pair Venus Launch
Plasticaucho is expanding the Venus brand into football and running footwear, Primicias reports. The Ambato manufacturer is targeting at least 50,000 pairs in the first year after reporting $102.4 million in 2025 sales and $5.5 million in net profit.
MAGP Pushes Social-Security Affiliation for Artisanal Fishers
Ecuador's government is expanding social-security affiliation efforts for artisanal fishers, El Universo reports. Seguro Social Campesino records show 5,743 affiliated fishers in Manabi, Guayas and Santa Elena, with two 2026 campaigns in Manta and Jaramijo.
Ecuador Moves to Eliminate Colombia Security Tariff From June 1
Ecuador plans to eliminate the security tariff on Colombian imports from June 1, Primicias reports. The tariff had reached 100%, while Colombia imposed 35%-75% tariffs on about 191 Ecuadorian products and halted electricity sales.
Ciauto Plans $70M 2026 Investment as Ecuador Auto Assembly Rebalances
Ciauto plans to invest $70 million in 2026 despite concern over Ecuador's automotive agreement with Argentina, Primicias reports. The Ambato assembler produced 2,992 vehicles in the first quarter, or 61% of local industry output.
Ecuador Rice Prices Fall to Five-Year Low After Colombia Trade Rupture
Ecuador's rice sector is facing its worst price level in five years, Primicias reports. Corpnoarroz says the Colombia trade rupture blocked a market that absorbed about 100,000 tons of annual Ecuadorian surplus.
Coca Codo Erosion Risk Rises Ahead of June-July Amazon Rain Peak
June and July historically bring the Coca River's highest flows, increasing risk around Coca Codo Sinclair's intake works, Primicias reports. The regressive-erosion front remained 3.6 km from the intake in the latest published report before the May 21 dike damage.
Programmed Power Cuts Cover 54 Cities in 15 Provinces With User Compensation
Ecuador will apply scheduled electricity cuts in 54 cities across 15 provinces during two consecutive weekends, Primicias reports. Energy Minister Juan Carlos Blum said the work is tied to preventive maintenance and system strengthening ahead of a possible El Nino event.
SRI Makes IVA Declarations Valid Only With Payment Starting June 1
Ecuador's tax authority will require IVA declaration and payment to occur simultaneously from June 1, Primicias reports. Late filing can trigger a 3% penalty on the amount due or 0.1% of gross sales or income when no IVA is determined.
Millicom Plans Tigo Brand Consolidation for Movistar and Tuenti in Ecuador
Millicom's Ecuador transition is moving toward a single Tigo brand, Primicias reports. The company completed the $380 million acquisition of Telefónica's Ecuador mobile operations on October 30, 2025.
Cerro Azul Order Tests Ecuador Mining Cadastre Reopening After Eight-Year Freeze
Ecuador's mining cadastre reopening moved back into focus after a ministerial agreement tied to Cerro Azul, Primicias reports. The order directs Arcom to begin a gradual and progressive opening for small mining of aggregates and stone materials in the Guayaquil-Daule-Samborondon corridor.
Petroecuador Output Falls to 356,867 Bpd During High-WTI Window
Petroecuador produced 356,867 barrels per day in April 2026, down 17,733 bpd year over year, Primicias reports. The decline occurred while WTI averaged $97 per barrel during the three-month conflict-driven price window.
BlaBlaCar Enters Ecuador as Carpooling Platform Across Intercity Mobility Market
BlaBlaCar has entered Ecuador as a carpooling platform, Primicias reports. The company says it is present in 21 countries and is expanding into eight Latin American markets, including Ecuador.
Ecumar EP to Emerge From Flopec-Astinave Fusion Under 180-Day Transition
Ecuador will merge Flopec and Astinave into Ecuador Maritimo Ecumar EP under a 180-day transition, El Universo and Primicias report. The new entity consolidates hydrocarbon transport, port logistics, shipbuilding, cabotage, foreign trade and technology functions inside a single maritime SOE.
SENAE Seeks $17.2M Palantir Foundry Renewal Through CNT
Ecuador's customs service is seeking a $17.2 million Palantir Foundry renewal, plus $2.6 million in IVA, through CNT, Primicias reports. SENAE argues non-renewal would affect customs-control processes, risk analysis, intelligence capacity and fiscal collection.
Assembly Begins SUCRE Exit Process With 20-Day Report Window
Ecuador's Assembly has begun processing the country's withdrawal from the SUCRE payment-compensation treaty, Primicias reports. The committee has 20 days to prepare a report and approval would require 77 votes in plenary.
Agriculture Ministry Cites $4M El Nino Insurance Budget and Additional Rice-Reserve Capacity
Ecuador's Agriculture Ministry has a $4 million budget for agricultural-insurance premiums tied to potential El Nino impacts, El Universo reports. Minister Juan Carlos Vega also said the government is seeking storage and budget for 20,000 additional tons of rice, requiring about $8 million more.
Automotive Sector Billing Rises 28.4% to $2.946B in Q1 2026
Ecuador's automotive sector billed $2.946 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up 28.4% from $2.296 billion in 2025, El Universo reports citing Aeade data. Vehicle commerce and repair accounted for $2.762 billion, while vehicle manufacturing contributed $187 million.
Ecuador Releases $98.9M in Sinohydro Guarantees After Coca Codo Handover
Ecuador released $98.9 million in pending guarantees to Sinohydro on May 8 after the April 17 definitive acceptance of Coca Codo Sinclair, Primicias reports. The state retains a $36 million distributor-performance guarantee as it negotiates a 25-year operating and maintenance agreement with PowerChina.
Ecuador Grid Losses Estimated at 1,200 MW as Deficit Pressure Persists
Ecuador loses an estimated 1,200 MW in transmission and distribution, roughly equal to the average power deficit the country is trying to cover, according to Primicias/Revista Gestion. The report frames grid modernization as a potentially faster capacity lever than new generation alone.
Transport Scrappage Program Registers 1,019 Operators as $28M Rest-Area Plan Advances
More than 1,000 transport operators have registered in Ecuador's vehicle renewal plans and 174 units have been removed from circulation, Primicias reports. The government also plans eight rest areas for heavy transport corridors with an estimated $28 million investment.
BIESS Returns 35 of 37 Closed Complementary Pension Funds to Original Administrators
BIESS restored administration of 35 of 37 closed complementary pension funds to their original administrators, El Universo reports. The process reduces administrative load tied to funds that the institution says had generated more than $500,000 in costs.
Faszina Says Ecuador Supplies 50% of Its Exotic-Fruit Import Volume
Spanish importer Faszina Selected says Ecuador represents 50% of its import volume and between 80 and 120 weekly pallets of exotic fruit, El Universo reports. The company distributes through Barcelona's Mercabarna and says Ecuadorian supply is regular and stable throughout the year.
Decreto 394 Allocates $10.5M Diesel Compensation for Industrial Fishing
Decreto 394 creates an extraordinary, temporary, targeted and conditioned mechanism for the industrial fishing sector after the diesel price increase. Primicias reports the total budget is $10.5 million, with eligibility tied to vessel registration, permits, fuel invoices, tax and employer obligations, verified fishing activity and MAGP technical rules.
CECA-13 Cacao Clone Reports 1.8-2.0 Tons/Ha Annual Yields in El Oro
El Universo reports that the CECA-13 cacao clone was launched May 20 in El Oro by researcher Erwin Cango. Reported yields in the development zone reached 1.8-2.0 tons per hectare per year, with evaluations in other areas indicating a possible 30-35 quintals per hectare depending on agronomic management.
Ecuador Lists 15+ Trade Agreements After $5.032B Non-Oil Surplus
Ecuador has more than 15 new trade agreements on its agenda after a $5.032 billion non-oil trade surplus in 2025, according to El Universo. The report also cites $29.402 billion in non-oil exports, 26 investment contracts worth more than $1.049 billion, and $623.22 million in business closings from international promotion.
Ecuador Overdue Collections Portfolio Rises to About $2.5B, Asocob Says
Ecuador's overdue financial-system portfolio managed by collection firms has risen from about $1.6 billion before Covid-19 to about $2.5 billion, according to Primicias reporting on Asocob. The association cites overindebtedness, labor instability and spending priorities as key factors behind household arrears.
Amazon Biocorridor Plan Mobilizes About $460M Over 17 Years
Expreso reports that President Daniel Noboa announced roughly $460 million for the Biocorredor Amazonico over 17 years. The initiative is meant to strengthen protected areas, improve management of more than 26 million hectares of natural heritage and reinforce Ecuador's park-ranger corps.
Decreto 390 Sets Electric-Sector Diesel at $0.8042/Gal as Thermal Fuel Rules Change
Decreto Ejecutivo 390 sets diesel for the electric sector at $0.8042 per gallon and establishes Fuel Oil 4 prices of $0.48 at Refinería La Libertad and $0.62 at other dispatch points. The reform takes effect from 00:00 on May 22, 2026.
CELEC Has No Awards Across 205 MW Emergency Thermal Rental Pipeline
CELEC's plan to contract 205 MW in rented thermal generation has not produced an award as of May 22. Primicias reports Pascuales, Jaramijó and Miraflores have already faced deserted processes while Santa Elena and Guangopolo remain delayed.
SRI Promotes 50%-75% Income-Tax Deduction for Youth Hiring
SRI is promoting an employer income-tax incentive that allows a 50% additional deduction for hiring workers aged 18-29, rising to 75% in specified education cases. Construction and agriculture employers may also apply a 75% additional deduction for new hires.
Marine-Coastal Law Creates Wave Registry and Rules for Ports, Tourism, Fishing and Energy
The National Assembly approved the Ley Orgánica de Gobernanza del Espacio Marino-Costero on May 21. Expreso reports the law creates a national registry for breaking-wave zones and regulates activities including fishing, tourism, port development and sea-linked energy projects.
Mining Fiscalization Fee Collects About $40M Versus $229M Target as Legal Challenges Advance
Ecuador's mining fiscalization fee has collected around $40 million, compared with a $229 million government target, according to Expreso. The Chamber of Mining argues the charge discourages investment and says constitutional claims are moving through the Court.
Campo Amistad Adds 3M Cubic Feet per Day, Lifting Gas Output to 27.6M Cubic Feet
Campo Amistad increased daily natural-gas production by 3 million cubic feet after work on Amistad 7, Primicias reports. Total output reached 27.6 million cubic feet, with Petroecuador planning additional interventions on wells 8, 14 and 9.
Mining Exports Reach $1.381B in Q1, With Fruta del Norte and Mirador at 75% of Value
Ecuadorian mining exports reached $1.381 billion through March 2026, up 65% year over year, according to Primicias. Fruta del Norte and Mirador represented 75% of mining export value in the quarter.
EV Sales Reach 3,124 Units in Jan-April as BYD Yuan Pro Enters Ecuador's Top Five Models
Ecuador sold 3,124 fully electric vehicles in the first four months of 2026, equal to 6.17% of the total new-vehicle market, according to Expreso. BYD Yuan Pro ranked fifth among all models with 834 units.
Mortgage Disbursements Rise 22% in Q1 as Ecuador Housing Demand Indicators Improve
Mortgage disbursements grew 22% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, according to Primicias. Housing sales rose 12.5% in January-February, project visits rose 16%, and net reservations rose 23%.
Cangrejos Gold Project Pays First $34M in Advance Royalties; Total Obligation Set at $54M
ODIN Mining confirmed payment of $34 million in advance royalties at contract signing for the Cangrejos gold project in El Oro. The company will pay $54 million in total, with remaining installments tied to plant construction, tailings facility construction and start of operations.
ARCH Opens Sanction Proceedings Against 18 Fuel Marketers Over 448 Station Stock Reports
Ecuador's hydrocarbons regulator opened sanction proceedings against 18 fuel marketers for not reporting stocks at 448 stations between May 9 and May 12. ARCH says the omissions obstruct dispatch management and service continuity; distributors argue the shortage was caused by government import logistics.
Decree 387 Reorients Ecuador Free Zones Toward Tech Services With 51% Presence Rule
President Daniel Noboa issued Decree 387 on May 18, reforming Ecuador's free-zone regulation to prioritize technology services and the knowledge economy. The decree authorizes tech activities, allows hybrid work, and sets a 51% monthly in-zone presence requirement unless technically justified otherwise.
CFN and IDB Sign $200M+ Credit Line for Ecuador SMEs, Targeting Amazon Bioeconomy Businesses
CFN and the IDB signed loan contracts on May 15 to channel more than $200 million to Ecuador's productive sector through the national financial system. The line targets SMEs, with resources oriented to Amazon bioeconomy businesses.
Comptroller Audit Finds $18.8M in Petroecuador Liabilities in Sacha Contract Liquidation
Ecuador's Comptroller approved a special examination assigning $18.8 million in civil and administrative responsibilities to Petroecuador over the liquidation of a Campo Sacha gas-compression contract. The audit cites unjustified retroactive interest and omitted collection of fines and receivables.
Ecuador Cacao Export Value Falls 63.5% in Q1 2026 to $441M as Prices Correct From 2024 Peak
Ecuadorian cacao export value dropped 63.5% year-on-year in Q1 2026 to $441 million from $1,208 million in Q1 2025. ANECACAO frames it as the long-anticipated correction of the 2024 price spike, not a demand problem, with the US, EU, Russia and Canada still the main destinations.
Only 36 of an Estimated 1,600 Ecuadorian Savings Boxes Are Compliant Before November 2026 SEPS Deadline
Ecuador's Superintendencia de Economía Popular y Solidaria reports only 36 community savings boxes have formalized, against an estimated 1,600 operating nationwide. The compliance deadline is November 2026, and informal third-party deposit-taking persists despite the ban.
Ecuador Funds $19.7M Compensation on April CNEL Electricity Bills for Consumption Up to 180 kWh
Ecuador will compensate $19.7 million on April electricity bills for CNEL customers consuming up to 180 kWh under Executive Decree 379. The measure covers about 1.83 million CNEL clients, with April bills delivered by email in the last two weeks of May.
Esmeraldas Refinery Restarts FCC Unit May 15; Gasoline and Domestic Gas Resume, Diesel Premium Deferred to June 2
Petroecuador restarted the Esmeraldas refinery's FCC unit on May 15, 2026, resuming domestic gas and gasoline production. Diesel premium output is deferred to June 2. Ecuador had been importing 65% of fuel demand during the outage that had the refinery at 41% of its 110,000 bpd capacity.
Noboa Cites 4% Growth, Sub-2% Inflation, Record 2025 FDI in CNN Interview — Claims Pending Independent Confirmation
In a CNN interview from Washington D.C., President Noboa cited 4% economic growth, inflation below 2%, a record for 2025 foreign direct investment, and poverty reduced to 21.4%. These are presidential talking points; Ecuador Brief flags them as claims to be reconciled against official BCE and INEC data.
Ecuador–Argentina AC59 Addendum to Cut Vehicle Tariff from 16.1% to 10%; Adefa Projects Market Share to 2%
An addendum to the AC59 economic complementation agreement will reduce Ecuador's import tariff on Argentine-made vehicles from 16.1% to 10%. Adefa projects volume could triple to ~3,000 units (≈2% of market). Signature is expected in the second half of June; the deal is technically and legally agreed.
Decreto 378 Extends Inter-Provincial Bus Subsidy to June 15; Urban Fare Pressure Builds Across Five Cities
Executive Decree 378, signed May 8, prorogues central government compensation payments to inter- and intra-provincial transport operators through June 15, 2026, pushing the fiscal and political fight over urban fares into mid-2026. Five major cities are at different stages of the same cost-recovery problem.
Bloque de Seguridad Militarizes Puerto Bolívar; 1,600-House Sweep Targets Drug Networks at Ecuador's Banana Export Hub
On May 14, 2026, Ecuador deployed its Bloque de Seguridad joint operation to Puerto Bolívar in El Oro province, with plans to search approximately 1,600 houses over the next three days. The port is a top channel for Ecuador's banana exports and has also been identified as a major cocaine transit point.
Ecuador and Morocco Sign JETCO Memorandum to Establish Joint Economic Committee; First Meeting in June, Business Council in Quito in September
Ecuador signed a memorandum with Morocco on May 12 establishing a Joint Economic and Commercial Committee (JETCO), with the inaugural session scheduled for June 2026 and a follow-on bilateral business council convening in Quito in September.
Plan Credicasa Delivers 125 Homes on May 12 at 2.99% Biess Mortgage Rate; $15M in Total Disbursements Across 300+ Loans
Ecuador's Plan Credicasa housing program delivered 125 additional homes on May 12, financed at 2.99% through Biess and developed in partnership with Ambiensa. The program has processed over 300 disbursements totaling $15 million, with 1,300+ pending applications nationally and 478 from Guayas province alone.
Ecuador's UAFE Launches Regional Anti-Money-Laundering Operation with Colombia and Peru; Quito, Guayaquil Airports, Huaquillas and Rumichaca Borders Targeted
Ecuador's Financial Analysis Unit (UAFE) activated its first regional anti-money-laundering operation of 2026 in coordination with Colombian and Peruvian counterparts, targeting the Quito and Guayaquil international airports and the Huaquillas and Rumichaca land borders.
Esmeraldas Refinery at 33-40% Capacity With FCC Unit Offline; Ecuador Now Imports 65% of Fuel Demand
Ecuador's Esmeraldas refinery is operating at 33-40% of its 110,000 bbl/d capacity with the critical FCC unit offline, forcing the country to import 65% of fuel demand. Diesel broke the $3/gallon threshold for the first time on May 12. Petroecuador targets an FCC restart on May 15.
Ecuador Banking Sector Posts $305M in Profits Through April; Credit Portfolio Reaches $53.4B at 12.8% Annual Growth
Ecuador's private banking sector recorded $305 million in combined profits through April 2026, with the total credit portfolio reaching $53.4 billion — a 12.8% annual increase. Deposits grew 13.4% to $62.7 billion. ROE hit 14%, surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time.
Government Expands 7x7 Credit Program by $100M, Opens BanEcuador Lending to Artisanal Fishers for First Time
Ecuador allocated an additional $100 million to the Crédito Productivo 7x7 program through BanEcuador, extending eligibility to artisanal fishers for the first time. The first phase distributed $100M across 9,341 operations. An estimated 11,500 fishers with 7,500 vessels are now eligible.
Ecuador's $1B May Bond Placement Drew $7B in Demand; Country Risk at 404 Points — Lowest Since 2014
Ecuador placed $1 billion in sovereign bonds on May 6 at an 8.5% annual rate, drawing $7 billion in demand from 200 international investors — a 7x oversubscription. Country risk has fallen from 1,908 points in April 2025 to 404 today, restoring market access after seven years.
Caso Progen: Judicial Documents Trace $110M Through Personal Accounts — 21 Individuals Face Embezzlement Charges May 14
Judicial documents in the Progen case reveal that USD 110 million in advance payments for 49 thermoelectric generators — none of which became operational — were distributed through personal accounts at the Federal Reserve and Regions Bank. Charges against 21 individuals are scheduled for May 14.
Aeropuerto de Cancún Acquires Indirect Control of Quiport Through Motiva Stake Purchase; Regulator Approves
Ecuador's Superintendencia de Competencia Económica approved the acquisition by Aeropuerto de Cancún S.A. de C.V. of 100% of Brazilian company Motiva's shares, granting the Mexican group indirect control of Corporación Quiport — operator of Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport.
Mother's Day Flower Exports Hit Record 24,800 MT (+16%); Quito Airport Rises to 4th in LatAm Cargo Rankings
Ecuador's Mother's Day flower export season set a new record at 24,800 metric tons over 21 days — a 16% increase over 2025. Avianca Cargo reported 55% growth in Ecuador operations. Quito's Mariscal Sucre airport climbed to 4th in Latin American cargo rankings.
CAN Resolution 2582 Orders Ecuador-Colombia Tariff Withdrawal Within 10 Business Days; Colombian Exports Already Down 60%
The Andean Community issued Resolution 2582 on May 7, ordering Ecuador and Colombia to withdraw reciprocal tariffs within 10 business days. The ruling declares both countries' measures incompatible with the Cartagena Agreement. With Ecuador's rate at 75% and Colombian exports down 60% through March, industry leaders on both sides call current conditions unsustainable.
Ecuador April Sales Reach $24.37B: Mining +28.6% to $977M, Energy +28.4%, Real Estate +28.4% as Amazon Provinces Lead Growth
Ecuador's April 2026 commercial sales reached $24.37 billion — 12.7% above April 2025 and 23% above 2024. Mining and quarrying led with $977.3 million (+28.6%), while energy supply and real estate each grew 28.4%. Amazon provinces posted the fastest growth, with Zamora Chinchipe surging 41.5%.
MAGP Deploys $42.4M Agricultural Technification Program: Drone-Assisted Farming, Irrigation for 3,288 Hectares, 1,670 Apiary Kits Across 23 Provinces
Ecuador's Ministry of Agriculture (MAGP) is deploying a $42.4 million program targeting small and mid-scale producers across 23 provinces. The three-component initiative covers technified irrigation for 3,288 hectares, drone and mechanization subsidies at 75% government cost, and a 1,670-kit beekeeping expansion through 2027.
Ecuador's Fuel Subsidy Band System Is Failing: Diesel Subsidies Hit $160M/Month as International Prices Surge
Ecuador's fuel band pricing system — designed to gradually eliminate subsidies — is producing the opposite effect. International diesel prices surged up to 66.8% in March 2026, but the system caps monthly increases at 5%, forcing the state to absorb a growing gap. Diesel subsidies alone now run approximately $160 million per month.
Energy Supply Brief: 270 MW Offline at Minas San Francisco, Karpowership Barge Renewal Stalled, New Minister's Corporate Ties Under Scrutiny
Ecuador's electricity supply margin tightened further this week as the 270 MW Minas San Francisco plant went offline for mandatory reservoir maintenance through May 16, while the Karpowership Emre Bey barge's contract renewal remains suspended by Sercop procurement objections. Meanwhile, new Energy Minister Juan Carlos Blum's shareholdings in a state-contracting consultancy raise governance questions.
Ecuador's Rice Sector in Crisis: Colombia Ban Creates 80,000-Ton Surplus as Farm-Gate Prices Collapse 38%
Colombia's rice import ban on February 24, 2026 eliminated Ecuador's dominant export destination — 90% of the exportable surplus — creating an estimated 80,000-metric-ton domestic glut. Farm-gate prices collapsed 38% as piladoras slashed purchasing rates. The government's $8 million emergency purchase covers only a quarter of the surplus.
Second Thermal Procurement Failure in Two Weeks: Celec Pascuales 50 MW Contract Declared Desert
Celec declared the 50 MW Pascuales thermal generation rental process desert on May 4, with all four bidders disqualified. Combined with the El Descanso III failure on April 27, Ecuador has lost 70 MW of planned emergency generation capacity ahead of the October dry season.
ASOTEP Assessment: Peru's Chancay Megaport Impact on Ecuador 'Indirect and Non-Substitutive'
Ecuador's Port Terminals Association (ASOTEP) assesses that Peru's Chancay megaport has created an 'indirect and non-substitutive' impact on Ecuadorian port operations, reconfiguring regional transshipment routes toward Asia rather than displacing Ecuadorian cargo directly.
Cenace Projects 18% Blackout Probability for October-March Dry Season
Ecuador's national grid operator Cenace has modeled an 18% probability of rolling blackouts during the October 2026-March 2027 dry season, driven by the loss of Colombian energy imports and recurring shutdowns at the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant.
Ecuador Reduces Colombia Security Tariff From 100% to 75%, Effective June 1
Ecuador will lower its security tariff on Colombian imports from 100% to 75% starting June 1, 2026 — the first reduction since President Noboa initiated trade restrictions in February. Colombia's retaliatory tariffs on 191 Ecuadorian products remain in place.
Ecuador Purchases $8M in Domestic Rice as Colombia Export Channel Closes
The Ecuadorian government is purchasing 20,000 metric tons of domestic rice for $8 million under Executive Decree 307, after Colombia's February import ban eliminated the destination for 90% of Ecuador's rice exports and created a 190,000-ton surplus.
Petroecuador Deploys Hydraulic Fracturing in Block 57 as Production Slides to 2026 Low
Petroecuador has begun hydraulic fracturing operations in the Shushufindi Libertador field (Block 57, Sucumbíos) in partnership with Chinese service provider CCDC, targeting compact limestone formations for the first time. The move comes as the state operator's output fell to 364,876 barrels per day in March 2026 — its lowest level this year.
Agriculture Ministry Activates M Rice Purchase Program Across 4 Collection Centers
The Ministry of Agriculture (MAGP) opened four rice collection centers on May 4 in Guayas and Los Ríos, backed by million in BanEcuador financing. The program purchases paddy rice directly from 7,000 registered producers at (short-grain) to (long-grain) per 205-pound sack.
SENAE Cuts Duty-Free Liquor Allowance to 3 Liters, Citing 694,000-Liter Informal Trade Leak
Ecuador's National Customs Service (SENAE) reduced the per-traveler duty-free alcohol limit from 5 liters to 3 liters effective May 4, 2026. The agency estimates 694,000 liters entered duty-free in 2024 alone, with the majority diverted to informal commercial channels rather than personal consumption.
China-Ecuador FTA at Two Years: Non-Petroleum Trade Deficit Widens 467% as Chinese Imports Surge 30%
Two years after entering force, the China-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement has produced a dramatically lopsided result. Ecuador's non-petroleum trade deficit with China widened from $335 million in 2023 to $1.9 billion in 2025 — a 467% deterioration driven by a 30% surge in Chinese imports while export growth stalled at 4.4%.
Colombia Signs Decree 0455: Retaliatory Tariffs of 35–75% on Ecuadorian Products — Bilateral Trade Projected to Collapse
Colombia has signed Decree 0455 establishing retaliatory tariffs of 35%, 50%, and 75% on Ecuadorian imports, invoking national security provisions under the Cartagena Agreement and GATT Article XXI. Trade projections indicate a 75% decline in Colombian imports from Ecuador ($640M reduction) and a 79% decline in Colombian exports to Ecuador ($1.452B reduction).
SRI Limits Credit Note Use to 60% of Tax Obligations — 40% Cash Requirement Takes Effect May 1
Ecuador's tax authority has imposed a 60% cap on the use of credit notes to satisfy tax obligations, effective May 1. The remaining 40% — including any fines and interest — must be paid in cash through approved channels. Tax specialists argue the restriction exceeds the SRI's administrative authority and conflicts with the Tax Code.