Análisis de la exportación de pitahaya ecuatoriana hacia China y su impacto en la balanza comercial, año 2023

Abstract

The present article aims to analyze the behavior of Ecuadorian pitahaya exports to China and their impact on the country’s trade balance during 2023, the year in which the Free Trade Agreement between both countries was signed. This topic is relevant within the current context due to the growing role that pitahaya has assumed in the national economy, having positioned itself as a non-oil alternative with high potential in international markets. The methodology used is descriptive, non-experimental, and qualitative in nature, with information obtained through interviews with pitahaya exporters, official reports, and academic sources. The results indicate that agroclimatic conditions, fruit quality, and financial access are internal factors that strongly influence the export performance of the product. On the other hand, external factors include phytosanitary requirements, logistical limitations, tariff barriers, and international competition. The Chinese market represents a high-value strategic opportunity for Ecuadorian pitahaya crops, provided that technical capacities, post-harvest processes, and international certifications are strengthened. It was concluded that the growth of exports does not guarantee their consolidation in China, as technical and logistical barriers persist that require structural improvements to sustain the product’s competitiveness.