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The food processing industry is an important component of Ecuador’s manufacturing sector. This sector contributes 45 percent to Ecuador’s manufacturing gross domestic product and grossed $12 billion in net sales.

In 2022, the Government of Ecuador continued to support floor prices for local production of corn, rice, and wheat as well as began subsidizing the price of fertilizers for small producers.

Ecuador’s National Customs Service (SENAE) announced on February 2, 2023, that Distiller’s Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) will no longer be subject to a 12 percent value added tax.

Despite continued economic constraints, U.S. – Ecuador bilateral agricultural and related product trade rose to $4.5 billion in 2022. In addition, U.S. agricultural and related product exports to Ecuador reached a record $741 million.

This report serves as a road map for U.S. companies exporting to Ecuador. While Ecuador is a challenging market for U.S. food and agricultural products, it is also one of opportunities. Domestic production cannot meet consumer demand, necessitating continued imports.

The retail industry is an important component of Ecuador’s economy. The 2022 forecasts for retail food sales is $24.9 billion and for consumer expenditures on food, beverages, and tobacco is $15.9 billion. Excellent sales prospects exist for U.S. food products to supply this sector.

The legal and regulatory situation to allow the planting of genetically engineered (GE) crops in Ecuador remains relatively the same as 2021. Commercial cultivation of GE crops is not permitted, however cultivation for research is allowed and an exception exists for GE products without recombinant or foreign DNA in the genome. A ruling by Ecuador’s Constitutional Court in early 2022 now makes it more difficult for the President to authorize exceptions to the GE ban.

This report identifies Ecuador’s import requirements for foreign export certificates, highlighting current procedures and identifying the relevant local agencies with oversight over these issues. An export certificate matrix and outline is included. This report supplements the FAS Quito Food and Agricultural Import Regulations (FAIRS) 2022 report.

This report outlines Ecuador’s requirements for food and agricultural product imports. It is a guide on the regulations that exporters need to consider in order to enter their products into the Ecuadorian market. Hyperlinks to ministries, agencies, and legal documents are provided throughout this report.

Coffee production for marketing year (MY) 2022/23 (April to March) is forecast at 354,000 60-kg bags of Green Bean Equivalent (GBE) basis, an increase of 36 percent over the MY 2021/2022 estimate of 261,000 60-kg bags, due an increase in expected area harvested and improved pruning techniques.

On May 4, 2022, Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso appointed Mr. Bernardo Manzano as his 3rd Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG).

Sugar production in marketing year MY 2022/23 is forecast to decrease to 530,000 MT, down five percent from the MY 2020/21 estimate, due to fertilizer and pesticide price increases during 2021, and despite a slight increase in planted area of 1,000 hectares.