Spain is the EU country that covers most of Ecuadorian exports
The European Union (EU) currently covers about 30% of non-oil exports from Ecuador, being Spain the one that led the purchases in 2013.
The bilateral trade with the EU reached U.S. $ 6000 million in 2013 and only from January to May this year sales totaled USD 1,290,300,000. This represents a growth of 6.7% over the same period of the last year.
The figures position the EU as the most attractive destination for non-oil products, while the U.S. is the main trading partner for oil shipments.
Non-oil exports reached USD 10 850 million, however, these could not overcome imports (USD 19 961 million) to thereby achieve a successful trade balance.
This deficit would have been one of the reasons to further negotiations and reaching a trade agreement with the EU.
Within the European Union, Spain was the country with more purchases in 2013 with USD 494 million. Items that were sent in greater numbers to this country are: tuna, shrimp, flowers, bananas and fish.