Articles
Business intelligence and analysis on Ecuador
Colombia Import Tariff Refund Exposure Could Reach $254M
Ecuador may face refund claims tied to the Colombia import security charge, Primicias reports. A former SENAE legal director estimated approximately $220.9M in tariff collections plus about $33M in additional IVA, implying a potential $254M exposure before interest.
Energy Minister Says Cascabel Mining Contract Will Be Renegotiated
Ecuador's energy minister said the Cascabel exploitation contract will be renegotiated, Primicias reports. The project carries a 33-year mine-life plan, approximately $4.2B in expected investment, a 4,979-hectare concession and Chinese control after Jiangxi Copper's SolGold acquisition.
Auca 141H Adds 2,568 Bpd to Orellana Oil Output
A new horizontal well at Auca is producing 2,568 bpd, Primicias reports. The Block 61 field averages 60,000 bpd, has more than 580 drilled wells and is operated by Shaya, an SLB affiliate.
Ecuador Has Gone Three Months Without Domestic Premium Diesel Output
Ecuador has gone three months without producing premium diesel, Primicias reports. Imports rose 70.97% year over year in March and 98.58% in April while import prices reached $165.45 and $183.43 per barrel, respectively.
Ecuador Carbon-Market Technical Rule Enters Force
Ecuador's Ministry of Environment and Energy has put the ARTTRM technical rule into force, El Universo reports. The framework is designed to support participation in international carbon markets and channel investment into mitigation projects in energy, industry, waste and agriculture.
Banco Pichincha Reports 6.5M Customers and 82% Digital Transactions
Banco Pichincha says it now serves more than 6.5 million customers, equal to 37% of Ecuador's population, El Universo reports. The bank cites 82% digital transactions, $14.1 billion in productive-credit portfolio and $1.5 billion in sustainable project financing.
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.
