Citrus fruit market in Ecuador

Earlier Report Observations

The Ecuadorian citrus fruit market expanded from 363 thousand tons in 2018 to 472.6 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was supported by the gradual industrialization of tropical fruit production, with farmers establishing dedicated hectares to cover processing investments while maintaining output. Export opportunities to markets like the United States and the European Union, which required strict phytosanitary measures such as hot water treatment, also encouraged production increases.

Market volume dropped to 386.8 thousand tons in 2021 before surging to 589.6 thousand tons in 2022. The subsequent decline to 487.9 thousand tons in 2023 occurred as the Ministry of Agriculture and Livership outlined new public policies for the agricultural sector and international market access for Ecuadorian tropical fruits improved, with efforts to diversify exported products.

In 2024, tax reforms introduced incentives for job creation and stricter penalties for electronic invoicing non-compliance, while Agrocalidad established deadlines for meeting phytosanitary and agricultural input registration norms. The Sectoral Agricultural Plan 2024-2025 set strategies for fruit sector development, and organic production expanded to over 78,000 certified hectares, with promotion campaigns for exotic fruits like yellow pitahaya using origin seals to enhance export competitiveness.

Production citrus fruit in Ecuador

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Ecuador's citrus fruit production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 449.1 thousand tons of citrus fruit, marking a 10.1% rise compared to 2019. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 355.5 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 20.3%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 14.8% growth.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Ecuador's citrus fruit production value also rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 85 855 thousand US dollars, showing a modest increase of 5.0% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 12.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 58 101 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 40.7%. The most substantial increase happened in 2019 with a 40.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Ecuador in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports citrus fruit from Ecuador

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year upward trend, Ecuador's citrus fruit exports declined. In 2020, the country exported 1 637 tons of citrus fruit, representing a sharp reduction of 58.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 53.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.7%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 959 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 7.2% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia remained the primary destination for Ecuador's citrus fruit exports in volume terms, accounting for 85.5% of total exports. The remaining volume was distributed among other countries.

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 citrus fruit export value totaled 313 thousand US dollars, showing a steep decline of 60.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 59.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 26.2%. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 794 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 27.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia and the United States were the key destinations for Ecuador's citrus fruit exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 86.1% of total flows. Other partners contributed much less individually.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Ecuador

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in import volumes during this period. The lowest imports were recorded in 2018 at 11 283 tons, while the highest stood at 25 212 tons in 2020, reflecting a 2.2-fold gap. In 2020, citrus fruit shipments to Ecuador from abroad reached 25 212 tons, which is 91.4% higher compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 38.8% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia remained the main source for Ecuador's citrus fruit imports in volume terms, with a share of 84.1% of total flows. The rest of the volume was fragmented across numerous other destinations.

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 citrus fruit import value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 12 330 thousand US dollars, indicating a rise of 71.7% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 182.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 41.3%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Colombia, the United States, and Chile made the biggest contributions to Ecuador's citrus fruit imports in value terms. Colombia accounted for 55.7%, the United States for 23.7%, and Chile for 14.6% of imports, jointly representing 93.9% of total flows.

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

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