Alliaceous vegetables market in Ecuador

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the market volume for alliaceous vegetables in Ecuador increased from 147.8 thousand tons to 157.3 thousand tons. This expansion was supported by the country's active promotion of fresh produce exports under the 'Ecuador: Premium y Sostenible' brand, targeting European markets. The approval of the Organic Law on Agrobiodiversity, Seeds, and Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture also established a regulatory framework affecting agricultural production during this period.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated the adoption of e-commerce and home delivery for fresh fruits and vegetables, altering distribution patterns. Despite a growing consumer preference for healthy foods, the overall market volume declined to 142.3 thousand tons in 2020 and further to 131.5 thousand tons in 2021. Ecuador's traffic-light nutrition labeling system for processed foods, ongoing since 2014, continued to influence consumer choices, potentially favoring fresh produce.

In 2022, the market showed a slight recovery to 133.5 thousand tons, coinciding with strong agro-food sector sales exceeding USD 29 billion. By 2023, volume contracted to 104.5 thousand tons. Recent developments include the full implementation of front-of-pack food labeling in May 2024, which restricts marketing to children, and a sustained rise in demand for fresh, local, and organic produce driven by health and sustainability trends, with Ecuador seeking new export opportunities at international trade fairs.

Production alliaceous vegetables in Ecuador

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

In 2020, Ecuador produced 122,367 tons of alliaceous vegetables, marking a significant 13.6% year-over-year decline. Production decreased by 26.2% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized rate of 9.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 7.1%, while the steepest drop was recorded in 2018 at 20.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ecuador in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports alliaceous vegetables from Ecuador

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. From 2017 to 2019, export volumes varied dramatically, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 27 times. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 42 tons, but rebounded sharply in 2020 to 131 tons—a 212.5% year-over-year surge. The most significant decline was in 2018, falling by 94.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ecuador in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Colombia dominated Ecuador's alliaceous vegetable exports in volume, accounting for 88.4% of total flows, with numerous smaller partners making up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ecuador in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Ecuador's alliaceous vegetable exports reached $385,000, a sharp 52.9% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 42.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.6%. The lowest value was $252,000 in 2019, which also saw the largest decline of 24.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ecuador in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Colombia were the primary buyers of Ecuador's alliaceous vegetables in value terms, together representing 83.8% of total exports, while other countries held fragmented shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ecuador in value, 2017-2020

Imports alliaceous vegetables to Ecuador

Imports in kind, t

Ecuador's alliaceous vegetable imports grew for the third consecutive year, reaching 20,032 tons in 2020—a 28.0% jump from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 55.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ecuador in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017-2020, China and Peru accounted for 98.4% of Ecuador's alliaceous vegetable imports by volume, with other destinations contributing minimal amounts.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ecuador in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Ecuador's alliaceous vegetable imports in value terms rose for the second straight year, hitting $18,797,000 in 2020, up 1.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports increased by 26%, or an annualized 8.0%. The lowest value was $14,578,000 in 2018, which also experienced the largest decline of 2.3%, while the biggest increase was 27.6% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ecuador in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China and Peru were the main sources of alliaceous vegetable imports to Ecuador in value, with other markets playing a minor role.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ecuador in value, 2017-2020