Ecuador exports grow, but earnings don't fully reach pockets

Ecuador's export figures for the first half of 2026 show an overall increase, but a closer look reveals a complex picture where growth in volume does not necessarily translate to increased earnings for families.

Total exports reached $19.571 billion, a 4% rise from the previous year. Imports also grew significantly, reaching $17.217 billion, an 18% increase. This resulted in a trade surplus of $2.355 billion. In a dollarized economy like Ecuador's, exports are a crucial source of foreign currency that circulates internally when businesses pay workers, purchase from suppliers, and invest.

However, a notable trend emerged in non-oil and non-mining exports. While the volume of these products shipped abroad increased by 4%, the revenue generated from them actually decreased by 5%. This means Ecuador sold more goods, such as shrimp, but received less money for them. For instance, the aquaculture and fishing sector, led by shrimp exports, saw an 18% increase in value, generating $5.819 billion, with shrimp alone accounting for $4.698 billion. Despite this, the report from the Ecuadorian Federation of Exporters (Fedexpor) indicates that the price per unit may have fallen.

Economists like Fernando Larrea Estrada, president of the College of Economists of Pichincha, explain that the benefits for households typically appear when increased export activity leads to more production and employment. A greater supply of products can also help stabilize prices for consumers. The disconnect between export volume and earnings raises questions about how these trade dynamics ultimately affect employment opportunities, income levels, and the purchasing power of Ecuadorian families.

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The benefit for households appears when greater activity translates into production and employment. For the consumer, a greater supply of products can also help reduce price pressures.