Tea market in Ecuador

Earlier Report Observations

The tea market in Ecuador experienced steady volume growth from 9 230 tons in 2018 to 10 276 tons in 2023. This upward trajectory was initially supported by shifting consumer preferences toward natural and healthy products, including organic tea and ready-to-drink beverages. From 2018, the market's commercialization expanded through the rise of e‑commerce as a sales channel and the opening of specialized tea stores, which improved product accessibility and stimulated broader consumption.

In the following years, the health and wellness trend continued to shape the market, with growing demand for unflavored green tea linked to these consumer habits. The global tea market's expansion also provided regional momentum, while increasing awareness of sustainability and organic attributes further encouraged demand diversification, reflected in Ecuador's emergence as an importer of flavored teas by 2024.

Production tea in Ecuador

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Ecuador ranked 28th globally in tea production volume.

Top producers of tea, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, Ecuador's tea production volume increased. In 2020, Ecuador produced 10 023 tonnes of tea, marking a slight year-over-year increase of 1.5%. The lowest production was recorded in 2019 at 9 875 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 0.3% drop.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Ecuador's tea output was valued at 21 514 thousand US dollars, up 13.0% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 9.6%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 19 045 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 4.9%.

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

Exports tea from Ecuador

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Ecuador's tea export volume increased. In 2020, exports reached 622.7 tonnes, showing a 5.4% advance compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 18.5%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 6.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 590.8 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 16.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (59.0% of exports in kind), Colombia (16.3%), and Malaysia (8.8%) consistently held the leading positions in Ecuador's export structure by volume, together accounting for 84.2% of total flows.

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

After a two-year drop, Ecuador's tea exports in value terms increased. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 337 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial year-over-year advance of 17.3%. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 11.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 139 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 20.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (57.3% of exports in value terms), Colombia (17.5%), and Costa Rica (10.1%) stood out as the main markets for Ecuador's tea exports by value, together representing 85.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports tea to Ecuador

Imports in kind, t

Ecuador imported approximately 73.5 tonnes of tea in 2020, showing a controlled reduction of 7.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 31.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 9.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 49.4 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 79.3 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with an 11.7% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 60.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and Argentina formed a dominant pair of markets for Ecuador's tea imports by volume, jointly accounting for 83.9% of total flows, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

Tea imports into Ecuador increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 311 thousand US dollars, marking a slight improvement of 1.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 18.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets — China, Chile, and the United States — together absorbed 71.9% of Ecuador's total tea imports in value terms.

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

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