Ecuador is bringing its exotic fruits to Spanish tables.

Ecuador's exotic fruits are aiming to solidify their presence in the Spanish market. This initiative is being developed through the Next Ecuador project, funded by the European Union and executed by the International Trade Centre (ITC), with the goal of increasing sales for small Ecuadorian farmers through partnerships with Spanish agricultural companies.

The project promotes the export of six fruits: yellow pitahaya, Hass avocado, Ecuadorian banana, blackberry, baby banana, and passion fruit, selected for their nutritional value and unique cultivation processes. An example is the Hass avocado, grown in the Andes, differentiating it from the Peruvian variety.

Next Ecuador also seeks to revitalize the rural sector, impacted by the pandemic, supporting 1,000 direct producers and 5,000 indirect producers in 13 provinces. The project works to integrate these fruits into Mediterranean cuisine with Ecuadorian and Spanish chefs, promoting their consumption beyond the exotic niche.

Additionally, the project ensures compliance with European regulations to guarantee product quality. EU funding promotes technological innovation and optimizes logistical costs, achieving fair prices for Ecuadorian farmers.