Q1 shipments up almost 10 per cent at 111.57mn boxes according to Acorbanec data
Ecuador’s banana exports totalled 111.57mn boxes in the first three months of 2026, representing a 9.87 per cent increase on the same period last year, according to data from Acorbanec.
The European Union remained the top destination, accounting for 34.19 per cent of exports. Russia followed with 22.09 per cent, then the Middle East with 12.45 per cent, and the US with 11.79 per cent. Other markets, such as the Southern Cone, East Asia, and Eastern Europe, also contributed to the diversification of the export basket.
Acorbanec said the growth was down to increased production, with per-bunch yields 2.5 per cent higher than in the year-earlier period, improved yields per bunch, and the addition of new hectares of production. “These factors allowed exports to be sustained even in a context marked by rain and flooding in key provinces such as Los Ríos, Guayas, and El Oro,” Acorbanec noted.
In terms of market performance, exports to Europe were up 18.85 per cent on the same period of last year, while Russia saw an increase of 17.96 per cent and the US of 9.71 per cent, reflecting sustained international demand. In contrast, the Middle East showed more moderate growth of 4.22 per cent, along with greater volatility stemming from the conflict in the region, which affected logistics routes and forced the rerouting of shipments.
Acorbanec said the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the rise in oil prices led to an increase in transportation costs, which rose between US$300 and US$600 per container, depending on the sector.
Domestically, export activity was also affected by security factors. The state of emergency and curfew implemented in March in some of the country’s main production areas hampered logistics, reducing container availability by approximately 15 per cent per week and disrupting the normal flow of exports.
“Despite these challenges, the sector maintained its momentum at the start of 2026, supported by improved productivity and the resilience of the export supply chain,” Acorbanec stated.
