Ecuadorian bananas eye China growth as exports climb

Writing and reporting by Macarena Bravo | Lee esta noticia en Español.

The Ecuadorian banana industry is pushing to expand its presence in China, following strong export growth driven by the 2024 bilateral trade agreement.

Industry representatives recently met with Chinese Ambassador to Ecuador Sun Xiangyang as exporters highlighted advances in sustainability, innovation, and production aimed at strengthening Ecuador’s agricultural exports in Asia.

According to industry figures, Ecuador exported 15.5 million boxes of bananas to China in 2025, generating nearly $151 million in sales. Export value increased 31.14 percent year-on-year, while shipment volume rose 16.3 percent.

Richard Salazar, executive director of the Banana Marketing and Export Association (ACORBANEC), told FreshFruitPortal.com that China represented around ten percent of Ecuador’s total banana exports between January and March, up 16 percent from the same period last year.

“The trade agreement has been key. We went from paying a 10 percent tariff to seven percent, and that improves our competitiveness,” Salazar explained.

Salazar said new shipping routes have also supported export growth to Asia, including a service operated by COSCO Shipping linking Guayaquil and Shanghai with a stop in Chancay. The route has a transit time of about 27 days.

Ecuadorian bananas are aiming for Asia

Ecuador’s banana sector expects shipments to China to continue rising as demand grows in the market, which imports more than 14.3 million short tons of bananas annually, according to ACORBANEC.

“We hope to double or quadruple exports,” Salazar said.

Ecuador currently ranks as China’s second-largest banana supplier after the Philippines.

“Our Asian focus is the main growth area for banana exports. We have already demonstrated this with China and hope to replicate it with South Korea and Japan,” Salazar concluded.

*Photos courtesy of Richard Salazar. | Main photo is referential.

Related stories: 

Ecuadorian banana exports climb nearly 10 percent in Q1 2026

Ecuadorian bananas prepare to enter China

Ecuadorian banana exports increased by nearly 10 percent in January