Market research

Rice market in Ecuador

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

Ecuador's rice market volume fell to 854 thousand tons in 2019, driven by a sharp drop in the official minimum support price for producers and severe flooding that reduced harvested area and production. A partial recovery in 2020 lifted the market to 1 029 thousand tons, although the sector continued to face climatic volatility and infrastructure limitations.

Steady growth followed from 2021 to 2023, with the market reaching 1 311 thousand tons in 2023. This expansion was supported by state intervention, notably the establishment of a guaranteed minimum price for paddy rice in 2022 to protect farmer incomes and large-scale direct government purchases from producers in 2023 to stabilize supply, countering the effects of adverse weather patterns like El Niño.

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, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ecuador in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Ecuador by countries, 2018-2024, t
    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, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ecuador in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Ecuador by countries, 2018-2024, t
    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, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ecuador in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Ecuador by countries, 2018-2024, t
    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, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ecuador in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Ecuador by countries, 2018-2024, t
    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, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  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 rice in Ecuador

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Ecuador's rice production rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, the country produced 1,072 thousand tons of rice, marking a significant 21.5% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 19.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 6.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 882 thousand tons, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with an 18.6% decrease.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(18.6%)	(18.5%)	21.5%	(6.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Ecuador's rice production value recovered following a two-year downturn. In 2020, the output was valued at 802 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial 45.0% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, the production value fell by 23.1%, corresponding to an average annual decrease of 8.4%. The minimum value was observed in 2019 at 553 million US dollars, with the most pronounced decline taking place in 2018 at 39.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ecuador in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(39.2%)	(12.8%)	45.0%	(8.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports rice from Ecuador

Exports in kind, t

The market showed considerable volatility during this period. From 2017 to 2020, exports experienced extreme fluctuations, with a peak-to-trough difference of 99 times. In 2020, Ecuador exported 44,063 tons of rice, representing a sharp 51.8% increase from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 8.0%, while the most significant surge occurred in 2018 with a remarkable 6,965.9% growth.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6 965.9%	(8.0%)	51.8%	362.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Colombia was the dominant partner for Ecuador's rice exports in volume terms, accounting for 99.1% of total shipments.

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

Market performance exhibited notable fluctuations throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, showing a 94-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ecuador's rice export value stood at 32,946 thousand US dollars, indicating an 81.1% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2019 at 1.5%, while the most substantial rise was in 2018 with a 5,179.6% jump.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5 179.6%	(1.5%)	81.1%	354.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, nearly all of Ecuador's rice exports in value terms were directed to Colombia, which captured 98.8% of the total flows.

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 rice to Ecuador

Imports in kind, t

Ecuador's rice imports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1,038 tons, reflecting a dramatic 352.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 597.6%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 91.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	19.7%	28.8%	352.6%	91.1%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, Peru and the United States were the primary sources for Ecuador's rice imports in volume terms. Peru accounted for 43.0% of total flows, while the United States contributed 40.9%, together making up 83.9% of imports. Other partners supplied the remaining volume.

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

Ecuador's rice import value continued to rise for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at [value_last_year] thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 124.0% uptick compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 271.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 54.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	27.4%	30.2%	124.0%	54.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Italy, and Peru were the main sources for Ecuador's rice imports in value terms. The United States led with 53.1% of imports, followed by Italy at 25.6%, and Peru at 15.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for 94.6% of total import 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