Household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets market in Ecuador, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls and sheets in Ecuador grew from 43 148 t in 2018 to 46 904 t in 2020. This expansion was supported by the entry of the local tissue brand Hada, produced by Industrial Papelera Ecuatoriana (Inpaecsa), which increased domestic competition and product availability. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated demand as hygiene concerns led consumers and businesses to favor paper towels over hand dryers in public spaces.

Market volume then declined to 44 945 t in 2021 and 41 962 t in 2022. During these years, demand remained influenced by sustained post-pandemic hygiene awareness and strong activity in the hotel and restaurant sector, but imports gradually contracted. Import regulations set by the Ministry of Foreign Trade continued to apply, though no new major regulatory changes or production facility shifts were reported.

In 2023, the market contracted sharply to 24 931 t, primarily due to a steep drop in imports to 6 931 t, while domestic production held steady at 18 000 t. Preliminary 2024 trade data shows imports recovering to 33 032 t, indicating a potential market rebound, though the full market size for 2024 depends on production figures.

Production household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in Ecuador

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2017-2020

World map of production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2017-2020

In 2020, Ecuador produced 18 000 tons of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, showing stable production levels compared to 2019. The most significant changes occurred in 2018, with both the largest decline and increase recorded at 0.0%.

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

Exports household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from Ecuador

Exports in kind, t

Ecuador's exports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 589 tons. This represented a dramatic 40.1% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 56.8%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 24.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ecuador's export market for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets was highly concentrated, with Colombia accounting for 95.7% of total export volumes.

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 Ecuador's household and sanitary paper exports in wide rolls or large sheets declined for the third straight year in 2020, totaling 137 thousand US dollars. This marked a 29.5% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export values dropped by 61.6%, representing an annualized decline rate of 27.3%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Colombia remained the primary buyer of Ecuador's household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, accounting for 72.5% of total export value, while other trading partners held relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to Ecuador

Imports in kind, t

Ecuador's imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 29 493 tons. This represented a 1.9% increase compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 26 439 tons, which marked a 9.4% decline from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with imports rising by 9.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru (33.4% of import volume), Colombia (23.0%), and Indonesia (12.6%) were Ecuador's largest suppliers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, together accounting for 69.0% of total imports.

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

In 2020, Ecuador's imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets totaled 34 135 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate 6.8% decline year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 6.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 34 061 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 36 634 thousand US dollars, representing a 7.6% increase from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Peru (33.2% of import value), Colombia (24.3%), and Indonesia (12.3%) were Ecuador's main suppliers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, collectively representing 69.7% 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