Articles
Business intelligence and analysis on Ecuador
Ecuador Ships 39,000 Tonnes of Flowers for Valentine's Day 2026 as US Tariff Hike Drives 6% Decline in American Orders
Ecuador's flower industry dispatched 39,000 metric tonnes of cut flowers during the 2026 Valentine's season (January 20 – February 11), up from 37,000 tonnes in 2025. However, the US tariff increase from 6.8% to 21.8% drove a 6% decline in US-bound shipments, costing the sector an estimated $6 million in lost revenue as Colombia's duty-free access captured displaced demand.
Shrimp Officially Overtakes Petroleum as Ecuador's #1 Export Product: $8.4 Billion vs $7.75 Billion in 2025
In a milestone that redefines Ecuador's economic identity, shrimp exports closed 2025 at $8.401 billion — officially surpassing petroleum at $7.750 billion to become the country's single largest export product for the first time in modern history. The crossover ends petroleum's five-decade dominance and confirms Ecuador's structural transformation toward an aquaculture-led export economy.
Banana Exports Hit 377 Million Boxes in 2025 With 3.9% Growth, But Fusarium TR4 Confirmation in December Clouds the 2026 Outlook
Ecuador exported over 377 million boxes of bananas in 2025, a 3.9% increase year-on-year, driven by surging demand from China and Turkey. But the December 2025 confirmation of Fusarium Tropical Race 4 (TR4) on Ecuadorian soil -- the first detection in the country -- has triggered emergency phytosanitary measures and represents the most significant threat to the sector in decades. Containment efforts will determine whether Ecuador can sustain its dominance as the world's top banana exporter.
Ecuador Cacao Exports Projected to Exceed 623,000 Metric Tons in 2026, Positioning Country to Overtake Ghana as World's No. 2 Producer
The National Cocoa Exporters Association (Anecacao) projects Ecuador will export more than 623,000 metric tons of cacao in 2026, a pace that would position Ecuador to surpass Ghana as the world's second-largest cacao producer by the 2026/27 season. Ecuador's ascent is fuelled by rising planted area, improving yields from hybrid varieties, and sustained elevated global prices driven by supply shortfalls in Ivory Coast and Ghana due to drought, disease, and ageing tree stock.
Ecuador Shrimp Exports Smash Record at 1.39 Million Metric Tons in 2025, Industry Projects 15% Growth for 2026
Ecuador's shrimp sector delivered a record 1.39 million metric tons of exports in 2025, valued at approximately $7.5 billion, representing a 15% year-on-year increase after 2024's stagnation. China remained the dominant buyer at 48% of volume, followed by the US at 19% and Europe at 23%. Industry body CNA projects another 10-15% growth in 2026, driven by accelerating technification of farms and a favourable tariff position relative to India in the US market.
BioMar Takes Full Ownership of Ecuador Aquafeed Unit and Plans 37% Capacity Expansion to 410,000 Tonnes
BioMar Group acquired the remaining 30% shareholding in its Ecuadorian subsidiary from the Lanec family, taking full ownership of one of the world's largest aquafeed production facilities. The company will expand capacity from 300,000 to 410,000 tonnes by Q3 2026, with a further 200,000-300,000 tonne phase planned -- a major vote of confidence in Ecuador's shrimp export engine despite US tariff headwinds.
US Tariff Hike to 15% Costs Ecuador's Shrimp Industry an Estimated $20M Per Month as Total Burden Reaches 18.78%
The United States raised tariffs on Ecuadorian imports from a 10% baseline to 15% effective August 7, adding to existing 3.78% countervailing duties for a combined burden of 18.78% on the world's largest shrimp exporter. CNA estimates the cost at $20 million per month, yet S&P Global notes Ecuador may paradoxically benefit as India faces even steeper US tariff walls.
Cacao Prices Retreat to $4,500/Ton but Ecuador Export Volumes Set to Surpass 600,000 Tons
Global cacao prices have fallen to approximately $4,500 per ton, down sharply from the December 2024 peak of $12,483. Despite the correction, Ecuador's export volumes are projected to exceed 600,000 tons in 2026, with the sector expected to generate over $1 billion in additional revenue.
US Tariff Cut on Indian Shrimp From 50% to 18% Threatens Ecuador's Hard-Won Market Dominance
The United States' decision to cut tariffs on Indian shrimp imports from 50% to 18% poses a direct threat to Ecuador's position as the top US shrimp supplier -- a status achieved only recently after Ecuador's shrimp exports totalled $6.99 billion in 2024. CNA president Jose Antonio Camposano is pressing the government to negotiate better trade terms.
Ecuador's Cacao Exports Hit $1.2bn Record as Fine-Aroma Demand Surges
Ecuador's cacao exports reached a record $1.2 billion in 2025, driven by surging global demand for fine-aroma Nacional variety beans that now command an 18% premium over West African bulk cacao.
Ecuador's Flower Exports Poised for Record Valentine's Season as US Orders Jump 16%
Ecuador's flower industry is on track for a record Valentine's Day export season, with US-bound orders up 16% year-on-year and Quito's cargo facilities processing over 35,000 tonnes of cut flowers in January alone.