Concentrated or sweetened milk and cream market in Ecuador

Earlier Report Observations

The market for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Ecuador opened the period with a volume of 8 292 t in 2018, rising to 8 620 t in 2019 as sector-wide quality standards were reinforced through the publication of Good Manufacturing and Agricultural Practices. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused supply chain disruptions and increased production costs, leading to a slight contraction in domestic output and stabilizing total market volume at 8 578 t.

Market volume expanded sharply to 9 650 t in 2021 amid further industry consolidation, with 56% of production concentrated in the Guayas region. The following year saw the enactment of the Organic Law to Promote Milk and its Derivatives, which introduced price controls and a ten-year ban on powdered milk imports, helping to sustain domestic production and keep market volume stable at 9 719 t in 2022. A major shift occurred in 2023 when VitA Alimentos emerged as a new large player, capturing 29.4% of the market and contributing to a 23% surge in total volume to 11 980 t, supported by improved market transparency through the strengthened Dairy Observatory.

Production concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Ecuador

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

In Ecuador, production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream reached 6 531 tonnes in 2020, marking a 3.6% year-on-year decline. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 3.3%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 6 388 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 6 773 tonnes. The most significant drop in production was observed in 2018, down by 5.4%, whereas the largest increase happened in 2019, rising by 6.0%.

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

Exports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Ecuador

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed notable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes peaked in 2017 and then fell to their lowest point in 2018, representing a dramatic 246 820-fold shift. In 2020, Ecuador's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream amounted to 159 tonnes, reflecting a sharp 68.2% increase compared to 2019. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 100.0%. Conversely, the most substantial increase occurred in 2019, soaring by 3 583 098.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia dominated Ecuador's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in kind, accounting for 99.4% 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

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. The highest export value was recorded in 2017, while the lowest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 29 817 times. In 2020, Ecuador's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in monetary terms reached 500 thousand US dollars, showing a sudden uptick of 82.9% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.1 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 100.0%. The most significant increase was in 2019, rising by 393 174.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the structure of exports in value terms was heavily concentrated, with Colombia dominating as a single market, holding a 98.9% share 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 concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Ecuador

Imports in kind, t

Ecuador's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled approximately 2 206 tonnes, representing a 13.6% rise over the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall imports decreased by 8.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 904 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred that year, down by 21.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile played a leading role in Ecuador's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in kind, accounting for 72.7% of total import flows, with the remainder distributed among other trading partners.

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

Cross-border shipments of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Ecuador increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 4 475 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a robust 22.7% improvement over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 9.5%, translating to an annualized rate of 3.1%. The minimum import value was recorded in 2018 at 3 427 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 16.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the core group of markets for Ecuador's imports in value terms consisted of Chile, France, and Peru. Chile accounted for 66.1% of imports, France for 13.1%, and Peru for 9.0%, together representing 88.2% 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