Ecuador Trade Surplus Falls 38% As Fuel Imports Rise Through May 2026
Ecuador recorded a USD 2.144 billion trade surplus from January to May 2026, down 38% from the same period of 2025, according to Central Bank data.
Import Pressure
Total exports reached USD 16.287 billion, up 5% year over year.
Imports rose faster, reaching USD 14.143 billion, up 18%.
Fuel and lubricant imports were the main driver. Imports of gasoline, diesel, and related petroleum derivatives reached USD 3.683 billion, a 35% increase from the same period of 2025.
Export Composition
| Export line | Jan-May 2026 value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Shrimp | USD 3.8918 billion | +12.4% |
| Mining | USD 2.2207 billion | +47.5% |
| Bananas and plantains | USD 2.0228 billion | +7.2% |
| Cacao and derivatives | USD 820.4 million | -58.7% |
| Oil and derivatives | USD 4.0542 billion | +16.4% by value |
Oil and derivative export volumes reached 54.1 million barrels, but volumes contracted 5.5%.
What To Watch
Watch fuel-import costs, Esmeraldas refinery recovery, China shrimp restrictions, Fusarium risk in bananas, mining export momentum, and whether cacao prices or volumes stabilize in the second half.
Source
Primicias — “Las importaciones de Ecuador se dispararon hasta mayo de 2026, impulsadas por el alza del precio de la gasolina y el diésel”
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