Peru bans Ecuadorian pitahaya, sparking trade tensions

A trade dispute has emerged between Peru and Ecuador following Peru’s decision to temporarily block imports of Ecuadorian pitahaya (dragon fruit) as of July 1, 2025. The measure, enforced by Peru’s National Agricultural Health Service (Senasa), was based on the detection of unauthorised agrochemical residues in one shipment.

Ecuador’s phytosanitary agency, Agrocalidad, criticised the move as irregular and non-compliant with international protocols, stating that Peru did not exhaust the necessary technical or diplomatic procedures before implementing the ban. Ecuador has since launched an internal review, tracing the affected lot, reinforcing phytosanitary controls nationwide, and tightening good agricultural practices (GAP) among producers.

The dispute affects one of Ecuador’s fastest-growing export products. In 2023, Ecuador exported 50,000 tonnes of pitahaya, valued at $159 million. The fruit has gained strong traction in markets such as the United States, Canada, and Colombia, with new destinations like Argentina joining in early 2025. Peru began importing Ecuadorian pitahaya in 2022.

As Ecuador pursues diplomatic dialogue to restore market access, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to export safety and urged Peru to resolve the issue in line with bilateral trade agreements and international plant health standards.

source: infobae.com

photo: primicias.ec