Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Ecuador

Earlier Report Observations

The market for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in Ecuador expanded from 4 192 t in 2018 to 4 456 t in 2019. However, in 2020, volume contracted by 3.7% to 4 290 t. This decline was primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced demand for butter in the first half of the year as school and restaurant segments, key consumers, faced restrictions.

Production rebounded in 2021, pushing market size to 4 610 t, an increase of 7.5%. This recovery was underpinned by growth in the dairy industry's value added, which reached USD 238 million that year. The following year, market volume grew by 4.0% to 4 796 t, aided by the Ministry of Industries' flexibility in implementing the traffic-light nutritional labeling rules for processed foods, including dairy products.

In 2023, the market reached 4 978 t, a 3.8% rise. This steady growth was supported by ongoing formalization of businesses and increased production capacity among leading dairy companies, which have significantly raised their revenues over the past decade.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Ecuador

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

In 2020, Ecuador produced 4 255 tonnes of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, marking a 3.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.3%, averaging an annual decline of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4 161 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 4 412 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2018 with a 5.4% decrease, whereas the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 6.0%.

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

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Ecuador

Exports in kind, kg

The export market displayed notable volatility during the observed period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at just 1 kg, while the highest was in 2017, resulting in a 270-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ecuador's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats reached 47 kg, showing a sharp increase of 160.8% compared to the previous year. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018 with a 99.6% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019, surging by 1 400.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ecuador in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Peru were the dominant destinations for Ecuador's exports in kind, together accounting for 83.1% of total flows, with other countries contributing smaller individual shares.

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

The export market in value terms exhibited significant volatility over the observed period. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 20 times. In 2020, Ecuador's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats amounted to 0.2 thousand US dollars, representing a steep year-over-year increase of 479.7%. The most notable decline occurred in 2019 with an 81.3% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States led the export structure in value terms with 54.8% of total exports, followed by Chile at 24.7% and Panama at 13.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 93.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Ecuador

Imports in kind, kg

After a two-year upward trend, imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats into Ecuador declined. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 44 253 kg, while in 2020, imports fell to 35 075 kg, indicating a robust decrease of 20.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 25.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 7.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 46.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ecuador in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark was the leading source of imports in kind, accounting for 42.9% of the total, followed by France at 29.1% and Peru at 8.9%. These three countries together represented 80.9% of total import flows.

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

Following a two-year rise, imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats into Ecuador in value terms declined. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 356.2 thousand US dollars, while in 2020, imports dropped to 261.2 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 26.7% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 9.3%, with an average annual rate of 3.0%. The most significant increase was in 2019, up by 39.0%.

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

During 2017–2020, Denmark remained the top supplier in value terms, contributing 47.9% of total imports, followed by France at 23.9% and Peru at 10.2%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 81.9% of total import value.

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

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