Ecuadorian fruit and vegetable exports continue to grow. According to the Ministry of Production, non-oil exports grew by 10% in 2024, reaching $22.36 billion. Fruit accounted for $6.89 million (31% of the total). This growth shows that the sector is back at full speed. Bananas remain the main export product, followed by cocoa, pineapples, and derivatives.
The main destination for Ecuadorian fruits in 2024 was the European Union (33%) with Germany and Spain leading demand (especially for bananas and cocoa). The United States followed with a 19% share and was the main buyer of pitahaya and mango. Russia ranked third with a 9% share, despite global economic sanctions, Malaysia fourth with a 7% share, and Indonesia fifth with 6%, recording growth in their demand for bananas, as well as for processed products such as fruit juices and fruit pulp.
The Minister of Production, Luis Alberto Jaramillo, stressed that "Ecuador must diversify its export basket beyond bananas." "We are betting on products such as pitahaya, blueberry, and avocados, which are gaining relevance in key markets such as the United States and the European Union," he said. The Ecuadorian blueberries are receiving special support, with programs that facilitate their entry into the German market. Yellow pitahaya exports have doubled in the last three years.
Despite growth, the sector faces three major challenges. The first one is international competition, in which certifications and high cultivation costs play a role. There are also safety and logistics issues; although drug control in European ports has improved and scanners have been installed in Ecuador, port congestion and customs controls continue to affect delivery times. Finally, market diversification is essential. Ecuador wants to increase its sales in the Middle East, Asia, and North America and is negotiating trade agreements with Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and South Korea.
To address these challenges, the Ministry of Production is supporting small-scale growers and women entrepreneurs. "We want more small exporters to have access to the international market and have set up special financing lines for this purpose," the minister said.
To maintain the sector's growth and improve its global competitiveness, the Ministry of Production has promoted several strategies such as developing strategic partnerships with importers and distributors through Pro Ecuador to facilitate commercial alliances between Ecuadorian producers and international buyers. In addition, the Ministry is looking to take advantage of trade agreements highlighting Ecuador's competitive advantages in markets such as Canada, the European Union, and the Middle East. They also continue to implement the 'Ruta del Exportador' program, which has helped more than 8,174 actors in the sector market their products abroad by giving them technical support, access to trade opportunities, and the promotion of the logistics chain, through a logistics cluster, which seeks to improve costs, speed up export times, and ensure efficient services for exporters.
More than 30 Ecuadorian companies participated in the recent Fruit Logistica fair, showcasing their products, including bananas, pineapples, and pitahaya in search of new business opportunities.
An important announcement was the consolidation of the "Living Wage Bananas" concept, which guarantees fair wages for workers in the banana sector and promotes sustainable production.
"We want the world to know that Ecuador not only offers quality products, but is a reliable, sustainable, and competitive partner," the minister concluded.
For more information:
Luis Alberto Jaramillo
Ecuador's Minister of Production
Tel.: +593 2 393 5460
Email: ljaramillo@produccion.gob.ec
www.proecuador.gob.ec