Ecuador rice farmers fear fallout from Colombia tariffs: Video
Rice producers in Ecuador’s Guayas province are warning that a proposed 30 per cent tariff by Colombia on Ecuadorian imports could seriously undermine their livelihoods by restricting access to one of their most important export markets.
Farmers say the measure threatens to deepen existing pressures on the sector just as the harvest season approaches.
The concerns come amid rising trade tensions between the two neighbouring countries. Ecuador recently announced a 30 per cent security tariff on all Colombian imports, citing insufficient cooperation on cross-border crime, including drug trafficking and illegal mining. Colombia responded by suspending electricity exports to Ecuador and imposing its own tariffs on a range of Ecuadorian goods, including rice.
Producers argue that Ecuador would bear the brunt of the dispute. While Colombia could source rice from alternative suppliers or rely on subsidised domestic stocks, Ecuadorian farmers have fewer options to redirect their exports. Industry representatives warn that uncertainty over access to the Colombian market is already discouraging some growers from planting new crops.
The impact could extend beyond farmers themselves. Ecuador relies heavily on Colombian imports such as fertilisers, plastics and vehicle parts, creating an imbalance that leaves rural communities particularly exposed to trade disruptions. With the tariffs set to take effect on 1 February, agricultural groups fear the measures will add to the economic strain faced by farm workers and small producers in one of Ecuador’s most important farming regions.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
