Contraction in Cocoa Export Volumes Disrupts Port Cargo Flow Scheduling

The National Association of Cocoa Exporters (Anecacao) reports a 63.5% drop in metric tons of cocoa exported compared to the previous year. Executive Director Merlyn Casanova attributes this decline to adverse climatic factors and biological fatigue of the plantations. The contraction forces shipping lines to recalculate cargo hold spaces and pressures the non-oil trade balance, although high international prices partially mitigate the impact.

20 de mayo de 2026 • 1 min de lectura

Imagen de portada - Contraction in Cocoa Export Volumes Disrupts Port Cargo Flow Scheduling

The National Association of Cocoa Exporters (Anecacao) reports a severe decrease in export volumes, affecting the planning of cargo flows at the country's terminals. This reduction alters the logistical traceability of the first quarter and forces shipping lines to recalculate the cargo hold spaces reserved for this strategic commodity. The stabilization of customs dispatches remains subject to the regularization of agricultural production in the collection areas.

Sectoral macroeconomic figures detail a 63.5% drop in metric tons shipped abroad compared to the previous year. Anecacao's Executive Director, Merlyn Casanova, attributes this decline to adverse climatic factors and the biological fatigue of the plantations. This contraction pressures the non-oil trade balance, although high international prices partially mitigate the impact on the FOB value.

This scenario poses challenges for the operational continuity of logistics operators, who must make storage and container consolidation more flexible. In the future, the recovery of volumes will depend on the implementation of phytosanitary contingency plans and technical assistance in agriculture. For Ecuadorian foreign trade, recovering regularity in supply is key to retaining global market share.

Source: El Universo