Market research

Palm nuts and kernels market in Ecuador

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, Ecuador's palm nuts and kernels market volume declined from 2 786 thousand tons to 2 050 thousand tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 18.3% to 2 276 thousand tons, followed by a partial recovery in 2020 to 2 446 thousand tons. Production then gradually decreased over the next three years.

In 2022, market volume contracted to 2 296 thousand tons, influenced by the sector's high production costs, which were reported to be 28% above those in other regional palm-producing countries. The downward trend accelerated in 2023, with output falling to 2 050 thousand tons as palm plantations were affected by diseases such as Pudrición de Cogollo (bud rot), which directly reduced yields.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Ecuador
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Ecuador in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Ecuador in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, kg
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ecuador in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Ecuador by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ecuador in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Ecuador by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, K $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Ecuador, 2018-2024, K $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Ecuador by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, kg
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ecuador in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Ecuador by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ecuador in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Ecuador by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, K $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Ecuador, 2018-2024, K $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Ecuador by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US/kg
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, kg
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ecuador in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Ecuador by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ecuador in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Ecuador by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, K $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Ecuador, 2018-2024, K $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Ecuador by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, kg
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ecuador in kind, 2018-2024, kg
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Ecuador by countries, 2018-2024, kg
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ecuador in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Ecuador by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, K $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Ecuador, 2018-2024, K $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Ecuador by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, kg
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, kg
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production palm nuts and kernels in Ecuador

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Ecuador held the 8th position globally in palm nuts and kernels production.

Top producers of palm nuts and kernels, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of palm nuts and kernels, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Following a two-year decline, Ecuador's palm nuts and kernels production rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 2 446 K t, marking a 7.5% increase from the previous year. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, production fell by 25.3%, averaging an annual decline of 9.3%. The lowest output was recorded in 2019 at 2 276 K t, which also saw the steepest drop of 18.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(15.0%)	(18.3%)	7.5%	(9.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports palm nuts and kernels from Ecuador

Exports in kind, kg

The market experienced significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 603 kg, which saw the largest decline of 66.9%. In 2019, exports surged to 5 949 kg, an 886.1% increase from 2018, representing the peak. Overall, there was a 9.9-fold difference between the minimum in 2018 and the maximum in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ecuador in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(66.9%)	886.1%	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Peru dominated Ecuador's palm nuts and kernels exports in volume, together accounting for 94.3% of total shipments, with the remainder going to other destinations.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2019, Ecuador's palm nuts and kernels exports were valued at 191.1 K $ US, up 19.0% year-over-year. The lowest value was in 2018 at 160.6 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 64.6%. Over the 2017-2019 period, exports decreased by 57.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -25.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(64.6%)	19.0%	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Peru accounted for 80.2% of Ecuador's palm nuts and kernels exports in value, while the rest was distributed among a range of smaller countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports palm nuts and kernels to Ecuador

Imports in kind, kg

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. The lowest import volume was in 2017, with the largest increase of 211.9% recorded in 2018. In 2019, imports declined by 29.3%, the steepest drop. By 2020, imports reached 2 512 kg, a 71.9% gain from 2019, marking the peak. Overall, there was a 3.8-fold amplitude between the trough in 2017 and the peak in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ecuador in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	211.9%	(29.3%)	71.9%	55.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, Costa Rica was the primary source for Ecuador's palm nuts and kernels imports in volume, representing 96.2% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. The lowest import value was in 2017, with the largest increase of 181.1% occurring in 2018. In 2019, imports fell by 24.0%, the most significant decline. By 2020, imports peaked at 778.3 K $ US, a 73.2% rise from the previous year. Overall, there was a 3.7-fold difference between the bottom in 2017 and the top in 2020.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	181.1%	(24.0%)	73.2%	54.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Ecuador's palm nuts and kernels imports in value were almost entirely dependent on Costa Rica, which held a 96.8% share of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io