Ecuador suspends beer tax during World Cup, prices set to fall over 20%

President Daniel Noboa announced that Ecuador will temporarily eliminate the Special Consumption Tax (ICE) on both artisanal and industrial beer from 12 June to 19 July 2026, coinciding with the FIFA World Cup. The tax suspension reduces the specific and ad‑valorem rates to zero, which officials say could lower retail beer prices by more than 20 percent.

The government expects the measure to stimulate sales in restaurants, bars, hotels and other tourism‑related businesses, although it will cut tax revenue by an estimated US$25 million. The announcement was made at an official ceremony in El Empalme, where infrastructure projects worth over US$8.8 million were also inaugurated, benefiting tens of thousands of residents.

The decree (Executive Decree 420) applies to all beer sold in the country, whether domestically produced or imported, and will expire once the tournament concludes on 19 July.