Ecuador

Tuti, Ecuador’s leading hard discounter, plays a vital role in expanding the accessibility of chocolate spreads in 2024 by employing affordable pricing strategies. Over the review period, Tuti has significantly increased its number of stores…

In early 2024, Ecuador’s Sanitary Regulation and Control Agency (ARCSA) released findings indicating high lead levels in several sauces, dips and condiments, including the popular Gustadina brand, owned by Procesadora Nacional de Alimentos Pronaca…

Ecuador’s strong culinary tradition places significant emphasis on soups, particularly among older generations, where meals typically start with a soup before progressing to a main course. This tradition drives demand in the soup category in 2024, as…

Palm oil remains the primary oil consumed in Ecuador in 2024, benefiting from the country’s extensive national production capacity. However, this industry has faced significant challenges, particularly with the emergence of a pest known as “bud rot,”…

Throughout the review period, Ecuador has faced numerous social and economic challenges that have significantly influenced consumption patterns. Early in 2024, the country confronted unprecedented levels of insecurity, prompting the newly appointed…

Wound care in Ecuador has seen very little investment and innovation over the review period and again in 2024. Only a few brands are present in the category, and they occupy a very small space on the shelves of self-service pharmacies. In smaller…

Weight management and wellbeing registered volume decline in 2024 as, post pandemic, consumers are out and about again and are also able to visit the gym and be more active in order to lose weight. Therefore, there is less demand for weight…

Vitamin C registered further decline in Ecuador in 2024 as the pandemic and culture of preventive health are long over. With waning demand, the many players that entered the market during the pandemic are pushing sales through discounting and…

Ecuadorian consumers are increasingly concerned with health and wellness, and being physically active. More and more consumers are seeking to supplement their exercise with sports nutrition products; therefore, the category has proven to be quite…

Paediatric vitamins and dietary supplements have proven to be more resilient than their adult counterparts as parents prioritise the health and wellbeing of their children. However, economic stagnation and budget restraints continue to dampen demand.…

Ecuador has a rich tradition of using herbal remedies and traditional medicine, and there is a high level of acceptance and trust in these products, which are perceived to offer effective results and fewer adverse effects. Products enjoy good…

Digestive remedies recorded further growth in Ecuador in 2024 as gastrointestinal problems are common due to poor hygiene conditions during food preparation, handling and storage. There is a high consumption rate of digestive remedies in the country,…

Probiotic supplements have been steadily increasing in Ecuador and recorded further strong growth in 2024 as companies have invested significantly in activities with doctors, specifically paediatricians and gastroenterologists, to promote their use.…

There has been a drive to promote and educate about vaginal antifungals and this is leading to increased value sales. The two key players in the segment, Bayer, with Gynocanesten, and Genommalab, with Lomecan V, have invested in advertising campaigns…

Sales of cough, cold and allergy remedies in Ecuador benefited greatly during the pandemic. After reaching such a high consumption base during 2020-2022, demand for these products has subsequently been in decline. However, sales remain higher than…

Ecuador has experienced numerous challenges over the review period that have impacted consumption in general and the consumer health market. GDP growth projected by the IMF for 2024 is just 0.1%, the lowest in Latin America. This is mostly the result…

Analgesics in Ecuador is seeing significant advertising investment by multiple category players. In 2024, much of this investment focused on highlighting the versatility of analgesics in an attempt to widen the consumer base in the country and drive…

Travel in Ecuador continues to recover from the harsh impact of the pandemic although inbound arrivals remain below 2019 levels. The Ecuadorian travel industry faces significant challenges from the high level of insecurity in the country. At the…

Tourism flows in Ecuador continue to recover from the pandemic in 2024. However, Ecuador has faced new security challenges in recent years due to insecurity and higher crime rates in the country. Security concerns have hampered domestic tourism to…

In 2024, there has been a significant decrease in hotel occupancy rates in Ecuador, reflecting the deep crisis in the lodging (destination) sector in Ecuador. Hotels have suffered from the rising levels of insecurity in the country, which has…