FX.co ★ Ecuador Trade Surplus Narrows in May

Ecuador experienced a contraction in its trade surplus, which decreased to $498.35 million in May 2025, compared to $558.62 million in the same month of the previous year. This marks the 19th consecutive month of a trade surplus. During this period, exports increased by 8.3%, reaching $3,294.4 million. The growth was largely fueled by a significant rise in the export of bananas (up 28.4%), shrimp (up 18.2%), and cocoa and its derivatives (up 41.6%). However, oil exports saw a sharp decline, dropping by 33.2% to $606 million. There were also decreases in coffee exports, which fell by 11.6%, and tuna and fish exports, which declined by 7%. On the import side, there was a 12.5% rise, totaling $2,796 million, which partially offset the gains made from exports. The primary drivers of import growth included consumer goods, which increased by 19.8%, raw materials, which rose by 24.9%, and capital goods, which saw a 12.6% increase.