Agricultural trade balance fell 20% in the first four months of the year

Ecuador exported less cocoa and flowers and in general reduced its shipments by 4% and imported 22% more, mostly, soy and wheat cake.

Between March and April 2021,The Agricultural Commercial Balance (Agricultural, Livestock and Silvícola)experienced a fall in17 %, located at $ 241.6 million per month, according to figures published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG).

This behavior, according to this state portfolio, was due to the 7 % decrease in exports, mainly cocoa and flowers, diminishing sales to the United States; although it was clarified that the decline in both areas is seasonal.

On the other hand, imports rose in 2 %, especially due to the increase in soy and wheat cake purchases, coming in greater magnitude of Argentina.

Meanwhile, at the close of the first four -month period of the year, agricultural exports experienced a 4 %contraction; The country ceased to receive $ 110.3 million. Meanwhile, in the same period, the importation of goods of agricultural and agro -industrial origin registered a 22 %rise, reaching $ 1,165 million. Soy oil is one of the items that contributed to this increase, whose figures went from $ 31.3 million to $ 42.7 million, that is, 36 % more.

In this way, the commercial balance reached $ 1,289 million, which meant a decrease that bordered 20 % compared to the same period of the year 2020; that is, $ 321 million less.

Regarding the most exported products, the Orito is first located, with $ 14.8 million in foreign sales for the month of April, higher than what is sent in the previous month, in greater amount to the United States.

In second position the monthly exports of wood and paper or cardboard paste, for an amount of $ 1.61 million more, particularly destined for Colombia; To this destination, Ecuador sold corrugated paper, paper test liner, among other items.

Next, the export of cocoa butter - insight for chocolate manufacturing and in the cosmetic and food industries - rose, of $ 0.70 million (138 tons) in March to $ 1.84 million (361 t) in April of this year. Its main commercial ally was Germany, receiving 220 tons of the derivative for a total value of $ 1.14 million; being supplied by Nestlé Ecuador, Cofina S.A. and Aromas Fabor Cia. Ltda.

In imports, by April 2021, the industry bought $ 138.4 million between soy and wheat cake, giving a 19 % growth compared to what is acquired in the previous month. From the oleaginosa, 136,733 tons were brought, having as suppliers to Argentina (72 %), Bolivia (17 %), the United States (8 %) and other countries (3 %); Meanwhile, the cereal bought 223,214 T, from Canada (47 %), United States (39 %) and Argentina (14 %). In April, 17,151 tons of oats and flakes were acquired, for a value of $ 5.79 million; mostly from Canada.

Meanwhile, the volume of currency exchange of Ecuador compared to other territories, in the agricultural field also recorded a reduction of $ 37 million between March and April, standing at $ 924 million per month.

Of this value, $ 757 million (82 %) were very countries: $ 251 million corresponded to the Tlcan block; $ 239 million with the South Americans: Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil; $ 115 million with Europeans: Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Belgium and Spain; The remaining $ 152 million with Russia, China, Türkiye, Japan and Algeria.