Ecuador: Economy and Trade

Ecuador's economy relies heavily on petroleum exports, which have historically accounted for a large share of government revenue, alongside significant agricultural exports such as bananas, cacao, shrimp, and flowers. The country adopted the US dollar as its official currency in 2000, which has provided monetary stability but limited the government's ability to use independent monetary policy during economic downturns.

The United States, China, and the European Union are among Ecuador's most important trading partners, with China also serving as a major source of infrastructure financing and investment, particularly in the energy sector. Ecuador is a member of key regional trade and cooperation bodies, and its economy remains vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices as well as natural disasters such as earthquakes and El Niño-related flooding.