Maize market in Ecuador

Earlier Report Observations

Ecuador's maize market volume grew from 1 397 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 838 thousand tons in 2022, before declining to 1 414 thousand tons in 2023. The increase in 2019 was supported by the minimum support price (PMS) mechanism and crop insurance under the Campo Seguro project, which stabilized producer incomes. The expansion of harvested area to 362 473 hectares by 2022 also contributed to higher production.

Regulatory measures significantly shaped the market. The ban on genetically modified crops and mandatory labeling for products with over 0.9% GMO content, effective from 2018, affected imports and commercialization. In 2021, the suppression of maize exports through Acuerdo Nº 273 boosted domestic availability for the feed and poultry industries. The COVID-19 pandemic that year caused price volatility and reduced yields, but the export restriction policy helped maintain supply.

The market volume drop in 2023 coincided with authorities' decision to import maize in early 2024 to cover estimated supply shortfalls. Increased coverage of the Campo Seguro insurance project continued to mitigate climate risks such as the El Niño phenomenon, which triggered supply constraints.

Production maize in Ecuador

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Ecuador's maize production reached its peak in 2019 at 1,480 thousand tonnes. However, in 2020, production fell to 1,305 thousand tonnes, marking a significant contraction of 11.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 9.1%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 3.1%.

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

Exports maize from Ecuador

Exports in kind, t

The export market for maize experienced notable fluctuations during this period. In 2019, exports peaked at 5,247 tonnes, but by 2020, they had plummeted to just 13 tonnes, representing a dramatic decrease of 99.8% year-over-year. The volume difference between these years was substantial, with 2019 exports being 412 times higher than those in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia dominated Ecuador's maize export flows, consistently accounting for 96.7% of total exports in volume terms.

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 export market in value terms showed considerable volatility. In 2019, exports reached their highest point at 1,514 thousand US dollars, while in 2020, they dropped to just 13 thousand US dollars, a decline of 99.2% compared to the previous year. The peak-to-trough ratio between these years was 119 times.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Colombia was the primary buyer of Ecuadorian maize in value terms, accounting for 74.7% of total export value, while other 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 maize to Ecuador

Imports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of decline, maize imports to Ecuador rebounded in 2020. Imports reached 67,201 tonnes, representing an increase of 56.6% compared to 2019. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 28.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 42,911 tonnes, which marked a decline of 41.2% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina and the United States were the key sources for Ecuador's maize imports, together accounting for 92.5% of total import volumes, with other destinations playing a smaller role.

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

Maize import values in Ecuador declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, amounting to 44,459 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 5.4% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 2.0%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 56,031 thousand US dollars, which represented an increase of 18.5% from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 16.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, Thailand, Argentina, and Mexico were the main destinations for Ecuador's maize imports in value terms, accounting for 29.4%, 24.2%, and 14.6% of total import value, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 68.3% 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