Ecuador launches agricultural insurance and reports trade surplus decline

The Ecuadorian government has launched AGROPROTEGE, an agricultural insurance program designed to protect approximately 80,000 small and medium-sized producers. Over a four-year period, the government will allocate $24.55 million to cover more than 215,000 hectares against risks such as droughts, floods, frosts, and biological threats. The program provides a state subsidy covering between 60% and 80% of the net insurance premium, depending on whether producers meet specific criteria, such as being registered in the National Agricultural Registry (RNA).

Separately, economic data from the Central Bank of Ecuador reveals that the country's trade surplus fell by 32% between January and August 2026, totaling $3.054 billion. While exports grew by 10% to reach $26.798 billion, imports rose more sharply by 19% to $23.744 billion. A significant driver of this trend was a 37% increase in fuel and lubricant imports, which reached $6.211 billion. China remains Ecuador's primary source of imports, particularly for capital and consumer goods.