Ecuador and Peru report significant economic shifts in 2026

Ecuador-Peru trade financial services Ecuadorian economy Peruvian economy illegal financial entities

Economic activity in Ecuador and Peru shows significant shifts in trade and domestic indicators during 2026. Bilateral trade between Ecuador and Peru reached USD 1,226.7 million in the first half of the year, a 33.5% increase compared to 2025. Ecuadorian exports to Peru grew by 40%, led by crude oil, copper, and gold minerals. This growth allowed Peru to displace Colombia as Ecuador's third-largest import source.

In Ecuador, the Superintendency of Banks reported that the financial sector remains solid with high liquidity and solvency. However, authorities identified 127 unauthorized “phantom” financial entities operating between 2025 and 2026. One such entity allegedly defrauded clients of approximately USD 50 million. The informal credit market is estimated to exceed USD 10,000 million.

In Peru, internal demand grew by 5.2% in the second quarter of 2026, driven by a 17.6% surge in private investment and increased private consumption. Additionally, digital payment adoption is rising, with e-commerce in Cusco growing by 14% in the first half of the year.