Ecuador Becomes the Largest Pineapple Exporter in South America

In January 2022, the Ecuadorian Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments, and Fisheries announced that in 2021, Ecuador had become the largest pineapple exporter in South America and the eighth largest exporter globally. Ecuadorian Pineapples hold the Global GAP, Rainforest Alliance y BASC certification, and the main variety produced in the country is called Golden Sweet. This variety is mainly characterized by its size, sweet flavor, and smell.

Since 2017, Ecuadorian banana exports have grown an average of 17.9%. From January to November 2021, Ecuador reached an export value of USD 46 million. This export value represents a 22% increase from the same period in 2020 when Ecuador reached a banana export value of only USD 37 million.

Source: El Universo

In terms of the pineapple export volume, Ecuador also grew by 19.3% going from 75,573 tons exported in 2020 to 90,186 tons exported in 2021. It is estimated that the pineapple export volume accounts for approximately 75% of the total country’s production.

Some of the main export destinations for Ecuadorian pineapple include Chile and the Netherlands. In 2021, Chile imported USD 15 million worth of Ecuadorian pineapple, which represented a 7.9% increase from 2020 when the import value was USD 13.98 million. The Netherlands had a larger import value growth of 135.7%, going from USD 5.94 million in 2020 to USD 14 million in 2021. Together, in 2021, Chile and the Netherlands held 63% of the total Ecuadorian pineapple export market with a combined value of USD 29 million. Other countries that hold an important export market share include Belgium, Germany, the United States, Argentina, France, and New Zealand.

One of the factors that influenced the increase in Ecuadorian pineapple exports was the decrease in competitors’ supply. One great example of this is the decrease in pineapple exports Colombia experienced during 2021, which allowed Ecuador to fill in the market gap. There has also been an increased global demand for tropical fruits since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic that influenced exports. According to Tridge’s Engagement Manager in Ecuador, Douglas Montiel, a major factor that influenced the growth is the investment producers have made in technology for production and post-harvest. Additionally, there has been the implementation of technical and investment consulting in order to identify the best expansion techniques for Ecuadorian pineapple production and exports.

Pineapple exports have become important for Ecuador’s agricultural industry due to their effect on the economy and employment. According to the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments, and Fisheries, pineapple production generates over 2,500 jobs. 2022 will be a great opportunity for the Ecuadorian pineapple industry to increase production, better quality, establish competitiveness, and gain a larger global pineapple export market share.

Sources

El Universo. Ecuador is positioned as the first pineapple exporting country in South America.

ITC. Trade Map