Articles
Business intelligence and analysis on Ecuador
Ecuador Trade Surplus Falls 38% As Fuel Imports Rise Through May 2026
Ecuador’s trade surplus fell to USD 2.144 billion through May 2026 as imports grew faster than exports. Fuel and lubricant imports reached USD 3.683 billion, up 35% year over year, driven by higher oil prices and refinery constraints.
El Niño Could Accelerate Fusarium Spread In Ecuador Banana Sector
Ecuador’s banana sector is warning that El Niño rains and flooding could accelerate the spread of Fusarium R4T. A second case was confirmed in Santa Rosa, El Oro, on July 14, in a 90-hectare farm near the first detected focus.
Delivery Hero To Transfer PedidosYa Ecuador To SSW Partners
Delivery Hero signed an agreement with New York-based SSW Partners covering PedidosYa Ecuador and 13 other markets. The deal sits inside a broader transaction in which 50 Delivery Hero markets will become Uber, while SSW will independently seek strategic partners for the 14 transferred markets.
BCE Gold Purchases From Small Miners Reach USD 573M Over 10 Years
The Central Bank of Ecuador has purchased more than 9.8 tonnes of gold from artisanal and small-scale miners over 10 years, totaling USD 573 million. Gold monetary reserves reached USD 3.812 billion by April 2026, representing 33.11% of international reserves.
Ecuador Rice Exporters Await Colombia Permit Reopening After July 20 Deadline
Ecuadorian rice exporters are waiting for Colombia to reactivate import permits after a 45-day extension of the land-border restriction expired July 20. Corpcom says the sector stopped shipping 50,000 tonnes to Colombia between April and June, during peak harvest.
Ecuador Electricity Demand Hits 5,634.31 MW July Record
Ecuador’s electricity demand reached 5,634.31 MW at 19:00 on July 15, the highest level recorded so far in 2026. The peak exceeded the Electricity Master Plan’s 2026 normal-growth projection of 5,206 MW, adding pressure before the October-March dry season.
China-Made Vehicles Reach 57% Of Ecuador Auto Sales In H1 2026
Vehicles assembled in China represented 57% of Ecuador auto sales in the first half of 2026, according to Cinae. Monthly China-origin sales now exceed 7,000 units, while June 2026 set a record with 8,363 units.
Insecurity Is Top External Concern For 53% Of Ecuador SMEs
Insecurity is the leading external concern for 53% of Ecuador SMEs in Chubb’s latest barometer. The study says theft, violence and extortion create material losses, raise operating costs and reduce confidence in the business environment.
Ecuador Delivers First Locally Assembled Military Patrol Vehicle
Ecuador’s first locally assembled military patrol vehicle was delivered to the Joint Command of the Armed Forces. The Páramo model was assembled at Aymesa’s Quito plant with tactical adaptations, ballistic armor and specialized equipment.
SRI Sets Mechanism For Tax On Undistributed Corporate Profits
Ecuador’s tax authority established the mechanism for declaring and paying the single tax on dividends or profits not distributed to shareholders. The rule applies to companies that have not distributed accumulated profits from prior years by July 31 of the current fiscal year.
Ecuador Faces 1,300 MW Dry-Season Deficit Scenario In 2026 Power Planning
Ecuador faces at least six electricity-system challenges before the 2026 Amazon dry season, including climate risk, delayed thermal rentals, aging plants and maintenance timing. Hydroelectric generation normally covers about 85% of demand, making dry-season hydrology the central operating risk.
Ecuador Extends PCR Contract For Pindo Oil Block Through 2037
Ecuador’s environment and energy ministry signed a USD 69 million extension with Petroquímica Comodoro Rivadavia to operate the Pindo oil block through 2037. The contract includes exploration wells, development wells, workovers using hydraulic fracturing techniques and gas-capture systems.