Not carded or combed cotton market in Ecuador

Earlier Report Observations

The market for not carded or combed cotton in Ecuador contracted significantly from 16,482 t in 2018 to 12,445 t in 2020. This decline was primarily driven by falling domestic demand in the local textile sector, which reached its lowest point in 2020 amid the profound sales and export impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry.

Market volume rebounded to 13,841 t in 2021 and surged to 18,987 t in 2022. The recovery was supported by a post-pandemic revival of domestic textile demand. A key driver was the establishment of a 0% tariff rate for importing not carded or combed cotton within specific quotas, a measure implemented to reduce production costs and improve the competitiveness of the textile sector, which facilitated a sharp increase in imports.

In 2023, the market volume fell sharply to 9,093 t. This contraction coincided with the updating of resolutions and regulations concerning foreign trade and the labeling of cosmetic and textile products, which affected market access and import requirements, likely constraining the inflow of cotton.

Production not carded or combed cotton in Ecuador

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of not carded or combed cotton, 2017-2020

World map of production of not carded or combed cotton, 2017-2020

Ecuador's production of not carded or combed cotton has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 5 357 tons, marking a modest 2.0% rise from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest production level was in 2018, at 5 153 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 1.4%.

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

Exports not carded or combed cotton from Ecuador

Market analysis indicates that Ecuador did not export any not carded or combed cotton between 2017 and 2020.

Imports not carded or combed cotton to Ecuador

Imports in kind, t

Imports of not carded or combed cotton into Ecuador have fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Ecuador imported 7 089 tons, representing an 11.3% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports dropped by 38%, which translates to an average annual decline of 14.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States accounted for 88.2% of Ecuador's total imports of not carded or combed cotton in volume terms. The remaining share was distributed among several other countries, each with smaller individual contributions.

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

Ecuador's imports of not carded or combed cotton in monetary terms have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 12 348 thousand US dollars, showing a significant 18.9% drop from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 44.9%, with an average annual rate of decline of 18.0%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 23 883 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 6.6%. The most substantial decrease occurred in 2019, with a 36.3% fall.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States dominated Ecuador's imports of not carded or combed cotton in value terms, holding an 87.8% share. The rest of the imports were spread across multiple countries, each with minor individual shares.

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

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