2025 was marked by escalating tariffs in the United States. Duties on Ecuadorian flowers rose to 21.8%. The sector is awaiting a statement from the U.S. government and is moving forward with efforts to exclude this product from the surcharge. As of October, the United States remained the leading buyer of Ecuadorian flowers.
Ecuador’s Flower Exports Cross the US$1 Billion Threshold Again
Ecuador’s floriculture sector will surpass the US$1 billion mark in exports for the second consecutive year. Alejandro Martínez, Executive President of Expoflores, estimates that in 2025 shipments generated between US$1.070 million and US$1.085 million, pending confirmation from the final figures of the Central Bank of Ecuador (BCE).
In value terms, this represents marginal growth of up to 1.4% compared to 2024, in a year characterized by higher logistics costs, price pressure in key destinations, and more selective demand in the United States and Europe.
The turning point came from the United States. Martínez describes a highly noticeable effect from the surcharges, which has already been reflected in final prices and consumer decision-making. According to his assessment, the last quarter of 2025 recorded a 17% decline in the U.S. market, and although there were compensations in other destinations (between 17% and 18%), which he said do not offset the impact on the U.S. market.
Reciprocal Tariffs Redefine Market Conditions for Ecuadorian Flowers
The broader context for assessing the close of 2025 in the flower sector is geopolitical and competitive. Following the policy of reciprocal tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, Ecuador’s floriculture sector was first hit with a 10% tariff in April 2025, followed by an additional 5% surcharge in August, bringing the total to 15%.
The impact is greater because Ecuador does not have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States and, before these tariffs, already faced a 6.8% tariff gap compared to Colombia, whose flowers enter the U.S. market at 0% duty. With the surcharge, Ecuadorian flowers now face a 21.8% tariff.
Ecuador is currently negotiating the elimination of that 15% surcharge as part of a group that includes Argentina, El Salvador, and Guatemala. If successful, the country would return to paying only the 6.8% tariff, opening what Martínez describes as a historic window to improve Ecuador’s relative position compared to Colombia, whose tariff scheme would not benefit from such an exemption.
Alejandro notes that the sector is awaiting a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the future of Trump-era tariffs. This decision is expected to be followed by statements from the Ecuadorian national government and the establishment of dialogue tables with the private sector.
The Market and Its Preferences
Within Ecuador’s export portfolio, roses remain the flagship species, accounting for 76% of market share. This dominance translates into a value of US$651 million as of October 2025, according to the latest BCE records. They are followed by summer flowers, which represent 9% of shipments, generating US$76 million.
However, shifts in demand are beginning to influence other categories. Expoflores has observed trend cycles in fillers, such as Gypsophila, which ranks third with a 7% share and US$63 million in exports. Martínez also highlights the strategic return of chrysanthemums, as well as renewed demand for carnations and alstroemerias.
Regarding destination markets, the United States remained the leading buyer as of October 2025, with purchases totaling US$286 million (34% share). It is followed by Kazakhstan with US$113 million (13%) and the Netherlands with US$102 million (12%).
At the regional level, North America (the U.S. and Canada) leads demand with US$317 million, followed by the European Union with US$232 million, and Eurasia, which has consolidated its strategic importance with US$134 million, according to official BCE figures.
Ecuador is growing bigger and stronger every year.
