Ecuador banana exports grow 7% as EU, Russia lead demand
The Middle East remained a growing market, with imports into Saudi Arabia up 27%. However, regional conflicts disrupted logistics chains.
ECUADOR – Ecuadorian banana exports grew 7% year-on-year from January to May 2026, driven by strong demand from the European Union and Russia, while US demand declined and Middle East logistics faced disruptions.
The European Union consolidated its position as the top destination, receiving 34% of shipments, followed by Russia at 21%, the Middle East at 14%, and the United States at 11%.
On the other hand, exports to the EU rose 15% during the first five months, with notable increases in Spain, France, Italy, Poland, Greece, Finland, and Sweden. Russia maintained steady demand, posting 14% growth, while shipments to South America expanded by 10%. However, US demand declined 7% compared to the same period in 2025.
In addition, lower fruit availability in competing regional producing nations was another key driver. Heavy rains in Colombia, together with weather disruptions in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras, reduced regional supply, boosting demand for Ecuadorian bananas, particularly in Europe.
Furthermore, growth in China was supported by lower production in Asian nations such as the Philippines, Cambodia, and Vietnam, which faced weather and phytosanitary challenges, and by the benefits of the Ecuador-China trade agreement. The latter enabled a progressive reduction in tariffs on Ecuadorian bananas, dropping from the original 10% to 7% in 2026.
In contrast, the Middle East remained a growing market, with imports into Saudi Arabia up 27%. However, regional conflicts disrupted logistics chains.
For instance, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and temporary service suspensions by some shipping lines caused transit delays for Persian Gulf nations, including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, and added an estimated US$300 to US$600 in logistics costs per container. These geopolitical challenges pose significant hurdles for Middle Eastern trade.
Moreover, increased domestic production was accompanied by positive export performance. The industry body reported a 1% year-on-year increase in bagging, while plantations experienced favourable physiological development, resulting in higher bunch yields and an expanded production area from new and replanted acreage.
However, despite heavy rains and flooding in the provinces of Los Ríos, Guayas, and El Oro, exportable supply remained above 2025 levels.
Finally, favourable agricultural conditions at home allowed Ecuador to maintain a robust supply that capitalized on shifting global market dynamics.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
