Ecuadorian banana exports to China grew 11.84% between January and August 2026, cementing China's position as Ecuador's top banana destination in Asia, according to a report released September 29 by the Banana Marketing and Export Association (Acorbanec).

Ecuador shipped 12.14 million boxes to China over the period, up from 10.85 million boxes a year earlier — an increase of nearly 1.29 million boxes. Acorbanec attributes the growth partly to declining banana production in other Asian suppliers, including the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China itself, amid climatic and phytosanitary difficulties, and partly to the Ecuador-China Free Trade Agreement, in force since May 1, 2024, which has gradually cut tariffs on Ecuadorian bananas from an original 10% to 7% in 2026.  A 27-day maritime route established in February 2025 — the Guayaquil-Chancay-Shanghai line operated by COSCO Shipping Lines in partnership with Contecon, concessionaire of Guayaquil's Simón Bolívar Seaport — has also supported the trade. China is now Ecuador's sixth-largest banana market worldwide, taking 4.30% of total exports, and remains Asia's top destination, receiving 71.78% of Ecuador's regional shipments compared with 19.96% for Japan. Overall, Ecuador's banana exports reached 282.27 million boxes from January to August 2026, up 9.64% from 257.44 million boxes in the same period of 2025, reaffirming bananas as one of the country's leading non-oil export earners.