Coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions market in Ecuador

Earlier Report Observations

The domestic market volume for coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil in Ecuador fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2023. It grew from 27 thousand tons to over 31 thousand tons by 2020, then contracted to 26 thousand tons in 2022 before rebounding to nearly 32 thousand tons in 2023.

This variation was closely tied to a steep decline in domestic production, which fell from 49 thousand tons to 32 thousand tons over the period. A simultaneous sharp drop in exports, from 22 thousand tons to just 154 tons, increased the supply available for local consumption, while imports saw only a temporary surge in 2021.

The local market landscape includes artisanal producers and brands focusing on cold-pressed, unrefined coconut oil, reflecting a consumer trend toward natural and sustainable products. Ecuador maintained a modest role in regional trade, with export volumes exceeding imports in 2024.

Production coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions in Ecuador

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Ecuador ranked as the 17th largest global producer of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions.

Top producers of coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Ecuador's production of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 38 507 tonnes, a decrease of 4.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 22.7%, which translates to an annualized decline of 8.2%.

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

Exports coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions from Ecuador

Exports in kind, t

Ecuador's exports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 7 458 tonnes, down 24.0% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 62.9%, averaging an annualized decrease of 28.2%. The peak was in 2018 at 21 565 tonnes, with the largest drop occurring in 2019 at 54.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 7.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil were the top destinations for Ecuador's exports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions in volume terms. Colombia accounted for 61.1% of exports, Mexico for 14.4%, and Brazil for 6.6%, together making up 82.1% of total export flows.

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

Ecuador's exports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions in value terms declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 6 465 thousand US dollars, a 12.1% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 79.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 40.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil were the primary markets for Ecuador's exports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions in value terms, collectively absorbing 81.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions to Ecuador

Imports in kind, t

Imports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions into Ecuador showed significant fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 54 tonnes, while the highest was in 2020 at 679 tonnes, representing a 12.6-fold difference. In 2020, imports surged by 29.7% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 67.2%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 870.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia and Malaysia dominated Ecuador's imports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions in volume terms, jointly accounting for 80.1% of total import flows, with other countries holding much smaller shares.

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

Imports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions into Ecuador in value terms experienced notable fluctuations between 2017 and 2020. The minimum was in 2018 at 265 thousand US dollars, and the maximum in 2020 at 790 thousand US dollars, a threefold increase. In 2020, imports rose by 61.9% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 48.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 83.9%.

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

In 2017-2020, Colombia, Malaysia, and India were the key markets for Ecuador's imports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions in value terms. Colombia represented 32.9% of imports, Malaysia 17.6%, and India 15.5%, together forming 66.0% of total import flows.

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

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