Articles
Business intelligence and analysis on Ecuador
DP World Advances $190 Million Posorja Port Expansion: Berth to Reach 800 Meters by Late 2026, Capacity Jumps 40% to 1.4 Million TEU
DP World announced the advancement of a $190 million expansion of its Posorja deep-water terminal, extending the main berth from 467.5 meters to 800 meters and increasing annual capacity by 40% to 1.4 million TEU. The World Bank-ranked most efficient port in Latin America will deploy all-electric quay cranes and 900+ refrigerated container plugs to support Ecuador's surging commodity exports.
Ecuador's Non-Petroleum Exports Hit All-Time Record $25.2 Billion in 2025, Up 16% as Shrimp, Cacao, and Bananas Drive Structural Diversification
Ecuador's non-petroleum, non-mining exports reached a record $25.202 billion in 2025, a 16% year-on-year increase representing $4.553 billion in additional export revenue. The performance generated a positive non-petroleum trade balance of $5.032 billion and confirmed a structural shift in the country's export profile, led by shrimp ($8.4B, +20%), cacao ($4.7B, +29%), and bananas ($4.3B, +11%).
US and Ecuador Sign Reciprocal Trade Framework: Tariff Exemptions for Non-Competing Goods, Market Access for US Machinery and Digital Services
The United States and Ecuador signed a Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade in November 2025, establishing mutual commitments on tariff relief, agricultural market access, and digital trade. Under the framework, Ecuadorian goods that 'cannot be grown, mined, or naturally produced in the United States in sufficient quantities' -- likely including shrimp, cacao, and bananas -- will be exempt from the 15% reciprocal tariff. Ecuador committed to reducing duties on US machinery, chemicals, motor vehicles, and eliminating discriminatory digital services taxes.
UAE and Ecuador Conclude CEPA Negotiations: 98% of Products Covered, 75% at Zero Tariff, March Signing Planned
Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates concluded technical negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) at the World Government Summit in Dubai, with a formal signing planned for March 2026. The deal grants preferential access for 98% of negotiated Ecuadorian products, with 75% entering the UAE at zero tariff immediately -- covering over 4,000 agricultural and industrial goods. Quito projects annual exports to the UAE could reach $1 billion by 2030, up from $261 million in non-oil trade in 2024.
Chevrolet Launches 2026 Captiva PHEV in Ecuador as National EV Sales Surge 159% Year-on-Year to 2,234 Units
GM Ecuador launched the 2026 Captiva PHEV at $32,999 -- its third electrified model in four months -- as Ecuador's electric vehicle market posts extraordinary growth: 2,234 fully electric units sold January-August 2025 (up 159% YoY), with hybrids adding 11,210 units (up 27.4%). BYD leads market share, but Chevrolet's aggressive pricing strategy signals intensifying competition in Latin America's fastest-growing EV market.
Canada and Ecuador Conclude Free Trade Agreement Negotiations After Six Rounds; Ratification Pending
Canada and Ecuador concluded free trade agreement negotiations in January 2025 after six rounds of talks launched in April 2024. Under the agreement, Ecuador will remove duties on 97.2% of tariff lines. The deal reflects parallel diversification strategies as both nations seek to reduce dependence on the US market amid escalating Trump-era tariffs.
Ecuador-Colombia Quito Summit Ends Without Agreement as Reciprocal 30% Tariffs Remain; Colombia Files CAN Complaint
The high-level bilateral summit in Quito on February 6 ended without agreement to lift reciprocal 30% tariffs between Ecuador and Colombia. Colombia subsequently filed a formal complaint with the Andean Community of Nations (CAN) and signalled plans to expand retaliatory measures. Both leaders face weak domestic approval as $2.8 billion in annual bilateral trade hangs in the balance.
Colombia Sends High-Level Delegation to Quito in Bid to De-Escalate Trade War as Reciprocal 30% Tariffs Enter Second Week
Colombia dispatched a high-level delegation to Quito on February 6 for private bilateral talks aimed at resolving the escalating trade war between the two nations. The visit, authorised directly by President Petro, comes as reciprocal 30% tariffs, a 900% pipeline fee hike, and Colombia's suspension of electricity exports threaten over $3 billion in annual bilateral commerce.
Ecuador-Colombia Trade War Paralyses Rumichaca Border as Reciprocal 30% Tariffs Devastate $3B+ Annual Commerce
Reciprocal 30% tariffs between Ecuador and Colombia, effective February 1, have triggered a near-total collapse in cross-border trade at the Rumichaca crossing. More than 1,000 truckers staged a "March for Border Dignity" on February 4, as bilateral commerce worth over $3 billion annually grinds to a halt. High-level officials are scheduled to meet in Quito on February 6.
Ecuador Shrimp Exports to Asia Surge 31% as Chinese Demand Rebounds
Ecuador's shrimp exports to Asian markets surged 31% in 2025 to reach $4.6 billion, according to the Camara Nacional de Acuacultura, with China overtaking the United States as the country's single largest shrimp buyer.