QUITO, Ecuador -
March 27, 2026 -
PRLog -- Ecuador is strengthening its position as one of the world's most dynamic cocoa producers, with output projected to reach 650,000 tonnes by 2026/2027. This places the country on track to become the second-largest global producer, reinforcing cocoa as a key export commodity (Reuters, 2025; France24, 2025) .
This rise comes amid ongoing volatility in global cocoa markets. After prices surged above US$12,000 per tonne in early 2025, they have since stabilized at lower but still elevated levels, reflecting persistent supply uncertainty (Reuters, 2025) . In West Africa, disease, climate stress, and aging plantations in countries such as Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana are expected to reduce output by around 10 percent in the 2025/2026 season (Nanyang Technological University, 2024; Aboa, 2025) .
Ecuador's competitive edge lies in both quality and productivity. Known for its premium Arriba cacao, the country also achieves average yields of around 800 kg per hectare, significantly higher than much of West Africa (France24, 2025) . Agroforestry practices further strengthen resilience by improving soil health and reducing climate risks.
However, future growth will depend on more than production. Regulations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) are making traceability and transparency essential for market access. In this context, agritech players like Koltiva are supporting cocoa supply chains through digital traceability systems, farmer mapping, and field-level capacity building, helping companies meet compliance requirements while improving visibility from farm to market.
As global cocoa supply chains become more regulated and climate pressures intensify, Ecuador's trajectory highlights a broader shift: competitiveness will increasingly depend on the ability to combine productivity, sustainability, and traceability at scale.
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