Ecuador's Dairy Export Expansion to El Salvador

The dairy sector of Ecuador has achieved a new milestone in its internationalization strategy. Through a joint initiative by ProEcuador and the Cámara de la Industria Láctea (CIL), the country has initiated its first export of whole and skimmed milk to El Salvador. This achievement adds to the export of UHT milk, already being sent to the Central American country since May, making El Salvador a key market for Ecuadorian products.

The opening of the Salvadoran market was made possible by coordination efforts that concluded with the approval of a zoosanitary certificate in April. This step is vital for the Ecuadorian dairy industry, which seeks to market its production surpluses in the region. The main milk-producing provinces in Ecuador are Pichincha, Santo Domingo, Cotopaxi, Manabí, and Carchi, jointly accounting for over 60% of national production.

The push for exports occurs amid a dual context for the sector. While Ecuador's dairy production seeks new markets actively, the article notes that the formal sector faces a supply shortage, as the industry captures only 51.8% of the total production, and formal industries have seen a decline of up to 20% in capture rates.

This export strategy is crucial for the future of the Ecuadorian dairy industry, which needs to strengthen its value chain and diversify its markets. The progress with El Salvador might be a starting point for exploring new opportunities in other countries. The export of dairy products, alongside others like rice to destinations such as Morocco and the UAE, reflects a renewed focus on foreign trade to boost the country's economic growth.