Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in Ecuador

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Ecuador grew from 14 197 tons in 2018 to 15 205 tons in 2019, an increase of over 1 000 tons. After this peak, the market stabilized, fluctuating between 14 800 and 15 000 tons through 2023, with a slight dip to 14 708 tons in that year.

By 2024, new factors emerged that shaped the sector. The Ministry of Agriculture issued Ministerial Agreement 023, establishing traceability guidelines for agricultural production in response to EU Regulation 1115, which bans imports of raw materials from deforested land. This affected supply chain practices. Simultaneously, exports of tropical fruits, including internal-shell coconut, surged by 2,824% to Colombia, reflecting diversification. Global factors like supply shortages in West Africa raised international prices, benefiting Ecuadorian producers but introducing liquidity challenges. State-backed associations such as Anecacao and Aprocafa also played a role in regulating and promoting producers.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Ecuador

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2017-2020

In 2020, Ecuador produced 14 667 tons of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, representing a 2.2% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 2.2%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 0.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 14 000 tons. That year also saw the largest decline of 6.7%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 7.1%.

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

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from Ecuador

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed an unstable pattern over the period. They reached their lowest point in 2019 at 8.4 tons and then climbed to a peak of 40.8 tons in 2020, marking a 4.8-fold increase. In 2020, Ecuador's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews surged by 383.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 37.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia and Spain were the primary export partners for Ecuador in terms of volume, together accounting for 97.6% of total exports, while other countries made 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

The value of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews exported from Ecuador fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 28.0 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 21.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value dropped by 48.3%, with an average annual decline of 19.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain accounted for 81.8% of the total export value of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews from Ecuador, with the rest distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to Ecuador

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, imports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews into Ecuador declined. In 2020, import volume reached 174.4 tons, down 18.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports decreased by 8.4%, averaging a 2.9% annual reduction. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 213.9 tons, while the largest increase of 10.3% occurred in 2018.

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

During 2017-2020, the Philippines and Peru dominated Ecuador's import structure by volume, with other countries contributing the remaining share.

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

Import value for coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews into Ecuador declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 433.9 thousand US dollars, a significant 15.6% drop compared to 2019. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 21.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 553.5 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 55.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Philippines, Peru, and the United States were the main sources of imports by value for Ecuador. The Philippines accounted for 50.4% of import value, Peru for 25.9%, and the United States for 14.1%, together making up 90.4% of total imports.

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

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