Ecuador Trade Surplus Hits Record as Ratings Improve
Ecuador · Economy Key Facts Record surplus Ecuador posted a US$2,339 million trade surplus in the first half of 2026, a record for the period, according to the Banco Central del Ecuador. Bigger exports Exports reached US$19.571 billion and imports US$17.232 billion from January to June 2026. Ratings lift Moody’s upgraded Ecuador to ‘Caa1’ in […] The post Ecuador Trade Surplus Hits Record as…
In the first half of 2026, Ecuador experienced a record trade surplus of US$2,339 million as its credit rating improved. The country sold more abroad than it bought, with exports totaling US$19.571 billion and imports amounting to US$17.232 billion. This surplus brought in dollars, fueling lending and imports in the US dollar-based economy.
Ecuador's credit rating agencies, including S&P Global Ratings, Fitch, and Moody's, began to upgrade its sovereign debt ratings, signaling growing confidence. Fitch raised Ecuador's rating to 'B-' in November 2025, while Moody's upgraded it to 'Caa1' in January 2026, marking the first upgrade in six years. Despite still being in the "speculative" territory, the grades indicate a positive trend.
The main contributors to Ecuador's trade surplus were oil (US$4.920 billion), shrimp (US$4.698 billion), mining (US$2.634 billion), and bananas and plantains (US$2.631 billion). The shift in buying patterns saw China and Russia becoming significant markets for Ecuador's exports, while the country's international reserves reached nearly US$8.9 billion.
Ecuador's recovery is part of an International Monetary Fund program, which recently disbursed an additional US$394 million. President Daniel Noboa, re-elected in 2025, has been focused on maintaining program progress.
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