Ecuador's Confectionery Imports Surge in 2026, Shifting Supply Calendar Ahead of Holiday Season

Ecuador has experienced a substantial increase in confectionery imports during 2026, with external purchases totaling $97.2 million between January and August. This figure marks a significant rise compared to the $43.5 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, according to data from the Guayaquil Chamber of Commerce (CCG). The increase is attributed to the expected commercial activity during the final months of the year, particularly for Christmas and New Year.

In the first half of 2026, imports reached $83.4 million, accounting for 85.8% of the total recorded up to August. This contrasts with the first half of 2025, when purchases amounted to $29.4 million.

A notable shift in the procurement calendar has been observed. In 2025, imports progressively increased in the second half of the year, with figures rising from $7.1 million in July to $9.1 million in September and $10.2 million in October. However, in 2026, the highest import values were recorded much earlier. April led with $17.9 million, followed by January ($16.2 million), June ($14.3 million), February ($13.6 million), and March ($11.5 million).

Colombia remains a primary supplier of confectionery products to Ecuador, with China, Peru, and Guatemala also contributing to the market supply. Novel items are frequently sourced from China. Confectionery businesses in Guayaquil, for instance, completed a portion of their purchases between June and July, with merchandise dispatches commencing in August. Some retailers anticipate completing their stocking for November and December demand by September.

Candies and cookies are reported as the highest-selling products, while chocolates constitute a smaller proportion of overall purchases. There has been a shift in consumer demand from multi-kilo bags to pre-assembled combos containing specific quantities of products, often used for gift packages. Small presentations of candies, lollipops, and marshmallows are now more popular for these combos.

Confectionery merchants estimate that a significant portion of their annual billing occurs between October and December, with demand peaking in the first weeks of December. While some businesses in central Guayaquil have noted a lower rotation compared to the previous year, the CCG maintains a positive outlook for the 2026 Christmas season, citing the current relevant level of supply. Commercial establishments like Chile in central Guayaquil expect moderate movement to intensify as the Christmas period approaches.

What to watch

Monitor the sales performance during the peak October-December period to assess if the earlier import strategy translates into higher overall sales volumes. Observe whether the shift towards smaller, pre-packaged confectionery items continues to influence purchasing patterns and inventory management for retailers.

Sources: eluniverso.com.