Trade
Exports, imports, trade agreements, ports/logistics
129 articlesGuayaquil Tourism Spending Reached USD 140.3 Million in Q2
Tourists generated USD 140.25 million in Guayaquil during the second quarter of 2026. The city is also positioning its 158 direct international flights and MICE potential as part of a broader business-tourism strategy.
Guayaquil Port Seizure Puts Export-Chain Security Back in Focus
A container at the Port of Guayaquil contained 1.2 tons of cocaine hidden in 1,080 banana boxes. The reported destination-market value was USD 37.58 million in the United States and USD 58.57 million in Europe.
Ecuador and Japan Keep an Economic Partnership Agreement on the Table
Ecuador asked Japan to advance discussions toward an Economic Partnership Agreement, with a next phase targeted before year-end. Japan is already a market and investment partner across seafood, cacao, infrastructure, energy, and mobility.
Ecuador Retains 10% U.S. Tariff Under Section 301 Regime
The United States applied a 10% Section 301 surcharge to Ecuador and 16 other jurisdictions. Ecuador's production minister says the rate preserves the country's existing tariff burden while supply-chain traceability controls are implemented.
Ecuador And Argentina Finalize Auto Tariff Agreement
The agreement lowers Argentina’s vehicle tariff from 28% to 10% and Ecuador’s from 15% to 10% inside a preferential quota of 3,000 units per country for 10 years, with separate origin-content rules above the quota.
Colombian Freight Resistance Slows Ecuador Truck Access
Colombia revoked its restriction after a CAN ruling in favor of Ecuador, but heavy cargo still is not moving freely because Colombian transport groups oppose the change and have warned of immobilizations.
Ecuador Holds 10% U.S. Tariff Position As Colombia And Peru Face 12.5%
Ecuador has a relative U.S. tariff advantage after Colombia, Peru, Chile, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic were placed in a 12.5% band. Fedexpor says 46% of Ecuador non-oil exports still face a 10% surcharge, but more than 54% remain exempt.
Ecuador Rice Export Restart Targets More Than 50,000 Tons After Colombia Permits Resume
Ecuador-Colombia rice trade is restarting by land after the first import permits were issued. The government cites an initial 30,000-ton negotiation, while Corpcom projects more than 50,000 tons could move before year-end.
Ecuador And Canada Sign 26-Chapter Free-Trade Agreement In Ottawa
The agreement signed July 24 covers goods access, rules of origin, customs, digital trade and investment provisions.
Ecuador And Canada Set July 24 Signing For Free Trade Agreement
Ecuador and Canada are scheduled to sign their free trade agreement on July 24, according to Ecuador’s vice minister for export promotion and investment. Authorities say the agreement would provide preferential access to a Canadian market of roughly 40 million consumers.
Ecuador Trade Surplus Falls 38% As Fuel Imports Rise Through May 2026
Ecuador’s trade surplus fell to USD 2.144 billion through May 2026 as imports grew faster than exports. Fuel and lubricant imports reached USD 3.683 billion, up 35% year over year, driven by higher oil prices and refinery constraints.
Delivery Hero To Transfer PedidosYa Ecuador To SSW Partners
Delivery Hero signed an agreement with New York-based SSW Partners covering PedidosYa Ecuador and 13 other markets. The deal sits inside a broader transaction in which 50 Delivery Hero markets will become Uber, while SSW will independently seek strategic partners for the 14 transferred markets.
Ecuador Rice Exporters Await Colombia Permit Reopening After July 20 Deadline
Ecuadorian rice exporters are waiting for Colombia to reactivate import permits after a 45-day extension of the land-border restriction expired July 20. Corpcom says the sector stopped shipping 50,000 tonnes to Colombia between April and June, during peak harvest.
China-Made Vehicles Reach 57% Of Ecuador Auto Sales In H1 2026
Vehicles assembled in China represented 57% of Ecuador auto sales in the first half of 2026, according to Cinae. Monthly China-origin sales now exceed 7,000 units, while June 2026 set a record with 8,363 units.
Colombia Lifts Restriction On Ecuador Cargo Transport Operations
Colombia lifted a requirement affecting international ground cargo operations between Ecuador and Colombia on July 9, 2026. The change follows a June 15 CAN ruling that deemed the measure contrary to Andean Community law and gave Colombia 20 days to remove it.
Descartes’ USD 30M Drivin Acquisition Extends Into Ecuador Logistics
The Descartes Systems Group acquired Chilean logistics platform Drivin for USD 30 million. The transaction reaches Ecuador through Drivin’s local operation, which serves corporate and SME logistics clients in consumer goods, food and beverages, retail, pharmaceuticals and logistics operations.
Nestlé Moves Nature’s Heart Production From Tabacundo To Guayaquil
Nestlé is moving Terrafertil's Nature's Heart production operation from Tabacundo to Guayaquil. Terrafertil reported 141 employees and USD 30.9 million in sales revenue in 2025, according to company-superintendency information cited in the report.
SCE Clears TIL Acquisition Of Guayaquil’s Naportec Bananapuerto
Ecuador’s competition authority cleared TIL to acquire Naportec S.A., the Guayaquil Bananapuerto asset formerly tied to Dole Food Company. The transaction was previously announced at roughly USD 75 million, and SCE said the operation does not alter competition in the relevant port and container-shipping markets.
Carga Segura Targets End-To-End Security For Ecuador-Europe Exports
Carga Segura is being positioned as an end-to-end export-security pilot from farms to European destination ports. The project involves Corpei, Fedexpor, banana and cacao sectors, European ports including Antwerp-Bruges, Rotterdam and Flushing, and public agencies on both sides of the route.
Ecuador Posts USD 2.144B Trade Surplus Through May 2026
Ecuador recorded a USD 2.144 billion goods trade surplus from January through May 2026, down 38% from the prior-year period. Exports reached USD 16.288 billion, while imports rose 18% to USD 14.143 billion.