AGP Executive Report

Ecuador Fisheries Restructure: Ecuador President Daniel Noboa plans to merge the Vice Ministry of Aquaculture and Fisheries into a broader economic-production ministry, and the fishing industry is skeptical about losing technical capacity. Banana Exports: Ecuador’s banana exports rose 5.5% year-on-year in H1 2026 to over 210 million boxes, with the EU and Russia leading demand, though El Niño-linked rains keep production risk high. Agri-Biodiversity Research: A new study documents 13 bumblebee species in Ecuador, underscoring their pollination role across Andean and Amazon regions and the threat climate change poses. Maritime Security Drills: Ecuador’s navy joins Panama Canal defense exercises (Panamax 2026) with 19 partner nations, including joint communications and interception scenarios aimed at keeping the canal operational. Cocaine Smuggling Crackdown: Spain and Ecuador dismantled a cocaine network using legitimate shipping containers, seizing 21 tons of cocaine and arresting 44 suspects, with Guayaquil cited as a key departure point. Aquaculture Industry Deal: Ecuador’s Industrial Pesquera Santa Priscila received competition approval to buy Ecuaprotein’s plant and assets, aiming to expand hydrolysate production for aquaculture feed. Regional Trade/Work Impact: The ILO warns El Niño 2026–2027 could disrupt jobs and incomes across Latin America and the Caribbean, hitting informal and outdoor workers hardest.

Banana Exports Watch: Ecuador’s banana shipments rose 5.5% year-on-year to 210M+ boxes in H1 2026, led by the EU (33% of exports) and Russia (nearly 21%), with growth tied to better production conditions—though heavy rain and El Niño risks still threaten the rest of the year. Drug Enforcement: Spain and Ecuador dismantled a major cocaine network, seizing 21 tons of cocaine hidden in legitimate banana containers and arresting 44 suspects, with Dubai-linked backers cited by investigators. Aquaculture & Feed Inputs: Rabobank warns aquaculture faces tougher H2 2026 conditions—constrained marine feed ingredients, rising fishmeal/fish oil costs, and El Niño-driven volatility—pushing producers to plan for ongoing uncertainty. Shrimp Value Chain Deal: Industrial Pesquera Santa Priscila got competition approval to buy Ecuaprotein’s plant and assets, aiming to expand hydrolysate production for aquaculture feed. Ecuador-Argentina Trade: Milei and Noboa signed an automotive agreement cutting Argentine vehicle tariffs to 10% (and 0% for auto parts; EV/hybrid tariffs eliminated), targeting renewed industrial exports. Cross-border Security: Ecuador and Argentina signed cyberdefense and extradition cooperation agreements in Quito, alongside steps against illegal fishing. Mining Capital Moves: Challenger Gold completed an A$85m raise for Argentina’s Hualilan project, appointing new leadership to push development.

Mining & Metals: Denarius buys 15.6% of Colombia’s Copper Giant and Trafigura secures long-term offtake rights for a fifth of output from the Mocoa copper-molybdenum project, as the new Colombian government signals a pro-mining push. Mining Ops: Atico Mining reports Q2 output of 2.08M lbs copper and 1,465 oz gold from the El Roble mine, with copper grades and recovery improving while gold is hit by lower-grade zones. Oil & Gas Dealmaking: Gran Tierra Energy agrees to sell its Colombia and Ecuador assets to Maurel & Prom for $1.33B, covering producing and development interests across the Oriente Basin and key Colombian blocks. Agribusiness: Ecuador banana exports rise 5.5% in H1 2026 to 210M+ boxes, led by EU demand growth while the US and Africa lag. Energy Trade: Colombia resumes electricity sales to Ecuador after a six-month tariff-driven suspension, with transfers covering about 7–8% of Ecuador’s needs, though El Niño drought risk remains. Security & Logistics: Spain and Ecuador dismantle a cocaine ring tied to Dubai financiers, seizing 21 tonnes and arresting 44 suspects after shipments moved through Ecuador’s ports. Climate & Food Risk: UN warns El Niño could drive acute hunger for 50M people as weather shocks and higher fertilizer and energy costs squeeze food systems. Industry & Environment Enforcement: Operation Green Shield 2026 targets Amazon environmental crime across Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, netting 800+ arrests and major timber and mining seizures. Local Food Economy: Ecuadorian street food vending expands in Minneapolis, boosted by a city ordinance that streamlines sidewalk cart approvals.

Oil & Gas Deal: Gran Tierra Energy agreed to sell its Colombia and Ecuador operations to Maurel & Prom for about $1.33B, covering ~29,000 bopd and ~144M barrels of proved-plus-probable reserves, with the move aimed at repositioning the company toward a debt-free, fully financed growth plan. Mining & Leadership: Challenger Gold completed an A$85M capital raise and named Yohann Bouchard (COO/CFO track, interim CEO) and Felipe Riquelme (CFO), as it ramps work including exploration in Ecuador. Healthcare & Policy: Ecuador’s health system faces pressure as kidney patients protest in Quito over supply shortages, highlighting operational gaps in public services. Security & Trade: A joint Spain-Ecuador operation dismantled a cocaine network with 44 arrests and 21 tonnes seized, with shipments reportedly routed via Guayaquil in legitimate containers. Agrifood & Climate Risk: The ILO warns El Niño 2026–2027 could disrupt jobs across agriculture, fisheries, tourism, transport, logistics and energy, with vulnerable workers in rural and informal sectors hit hardest. Payments & Retail Tech: Qubic partnered with AEON Pay to enable $QUBIC payments across online and offline merchants, expanding token utility beyond exchanges.

Healthcare Supply Crisis: Kidney patients and families protested outside Quito’s Carondelet Palace, saying shortages of medicines and supplies have driven a humanitarian crisis, with hospitals operating around 54% capacity and transplant patients rejecting organs due to immunosuppressant gaps. Anti-Drug Enforcement & Shipping: Spain and Ecuador targeted a cocaine smuggling ring with 44 arrests and 21 tons seized, using shipping containers and commercial goods—often linked to Guayaquil shipments. Energy & Oil Restructuring: Gran Tierra Energy agreed to sell its Colombia and Ecuador operations to Maurel & Prom for $1.33B, aiming to emerge debt-free and refocus growth on Canada and Azerbaijan. Environmental Enforcement: Amazon countries launched Operation Green Shield 2026, arresting 839 people and seizing illegal timber, minerals, and mining equipment, while warning that laundering networks still feed global supply chains. Labor & Climate Risk: The ILO warned El Niño 2026–2027 could disrupt jobs across agriculture, fisheries, tourism, transport, logistics, and energy, with knock-on risks for food security and child labor. Industry Trade Signals: Airfreight capacity shifts after the World Cup are reshaping Latin America–North America logistics, with rates up but volumes down.

Cross-Border Enforcement: Operation Green Shield 2026, led by the UAE with Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, wrapped up with 839 arrests and seizures worth over $280M across the Amazon—illegal mining, logging, wildlife trafficking, fuel smuggling and land grabbing targeted in 1,045 field actions. Oil & Gas Deal: Gran Tierra Energy agreed to sell its Colombia and Ecuador business to Maurel & Prom for $1.33B (including debt), aiming to cut interest costs and refocus capital on fully financed growth. Ecuador Trade Pressure: Ecuador’s shrimp industry is pushing for a Trump tariff exemption after the U.S. moves that could hit exports, with the production minister signaling limited optimism. Mining & Investment Signals: Ecuador’s “mining reset” is drawing attention from investors, highlighted by Salazar Resources’ progress on copper-gold projects and regulatory fee relief for exploration-stage firms. Seafood Industry Outlook: Seafood Expo Asia/Seafood Processing Asia returns to Singapore Sept. 2–4, with first-time exhibitors from four continents underscoring demand and competition in global seafood supply chains.

Amazon Enforcement: UAE-led Operation Green Shield 2026 wrapped up with 839 arrests and over $280M in seized assets across Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, targeting illegal mining, logging, wildlife trafficking and fuel smuggling. Mining & Investment Signals (Ecuador): Ecuador’s mining reset is drawing fresh attention as Salazar Resources highlights a fee exemption for exploration-stage firms and an independently confirmed after-tax NPV of US$573M for its El Domo project. Trade & Agrifood Deals: A record 701 companies joined a virtual agrifood matchmaking round, generating an estimated US$25.5M in new business opportunities across Latin America and the Caribbean, with Ecuador among participants. Ports & Energy Transition: UNCTAD rolled out new training for port professionals on the energy transition, aiming to help ports cut emissions while staying competitive as shipping shifts to cleaner fuels. Ecuador–US Trade Angle: Ecuador is seeking a Trump shrimp tariff exemption as the sector navigates shifting US trade rules. Seafood Industry Calendar: Seafood Expo Asia/Seafood Processing Asia (Sept 2–4 in Singapore) is pulling in new national pavilions and first-time exhibitors, reflecting continued global demand for seafood supply chains.

Energy Transition in Ports: UNCTAD is rolling out a Spanish online course on the energy transition in ports, aiming to help port communities cut emissions and stay competitive as shipping shifts to cleaner fuels. Ecuador Power Watch: President Daniel Noboa says Ecuador will enter the coming dry season without new floating power barges, citing better hydro output and fuller reservoirs, while warning large industrial users could be cut from the public grid if they miss deadlines to generate their own power. Ecuador Energy Scandal: Ecuador’s Progen case details alleged falsified documents, repainted machinery, and diverted public money tied to thermal generation contracts during the 2024 crisis, with prosecutors and a U.S. lawsuit describing losses near $110 million. Climate & Heat Impacts: A climatologist warns Guayaquil heat waves have surged nearly 400% since the 1980s, with El Niño effects amplified by a warmer atmosphere. Agribusiness & Trade: Ecuador’s Superintendency of Economic Competition approved Santa Priscila’s purchase of Ecuaprotein assets to expand value-added shrimp and fish hydrolysate production. Regional Industry Signals: Hitachi Energy named a new Americas executive vice president, covering Latin America including Ecuador, as electrification and AI-driven data centers reshape demand. Maritime Security: Panamax 2026 began in Panama with 1,700 troops from 21 countries to protect the interoceanic canal and safeguard supply chains.

Competition Review: Ecuador’s Superintendency of Economic Competition (SCE) approved Santa Priscila’s plan to buy Ecuaprotein assets, aiming to keep competitive pressure in shrimp and fish hydrolysate production as Ecuador’s shrimp exports hit new highs. Power & Industry Watch: President Daniel Noboa says Ecuador will avoid new floating power barges for the next dry season, while warning large industrial users could be cut from the public grid if they miss deadlines to develop their own electricity. Energy Scandal: New sworn testimony and court records keep spotlighting Ecuador’s Progen power crisis as a $110M scandal tied to alleged falsified documents, repainted machinery, and diverted public money. Climate Risk: Guayaquil heat waves have surged nearly 400% since the 1980s, with El Niño threats raising concerns for drought, rainfall swings, and deadly temperatures. Trade Policy Shock: The U.S. finalizes sweeping Section 301 forced-labor tariffs on imports from 60 economies, effective July 24, reshaping costs for exporters across the region. Logistics Security: Panama’s Panamax 2026 drills bring 21 countries and about 1,700 service members to test protection of the Panama Canal and regional maritime response. Aviation/Business: Bombardier will showcase the Challenger 3500 at LABACE 2026, with stops including Guayaquil and Quito, signaling continued investment in Latin American business aviation.

Ecuador Oil & Climate Accountability: Amnesty International urges Ecuador to fully comply with a 2021 court ruling to eliminate gas flares near populated areas in the Amazon and to deliver reparations to affected communities, saying authorities have only created the appearance of compliance. Maritime Security & Trade: Panamax 2026 drills bring naval units from Colombia, Ecuador, the U.S., Mexico and others to test interoperability and protect the Panama Canal’s strategic routes, linking defense planning with logistics. Port Energy Transition: UNCTAD’s TrainForTrade rolled out a Spanish course on energy transition in ports, with an Ecuador participant highlighting practical steps like measuring emissions and improving efficiency. Ecuador Research & Construction Materials: Ecuadorian scientists at ESA’s ESTEC are studying how hypergravity affects cement paste hardening to support more resilient building materials for Earth and future planetary infrastructure. Global Gold Reserves: South Korea’s central bank resumes physical gold purchases after 13 years, adding a domestic gold purchasing channel to expand foreign exchange reserves. UN Leadership Race: In the Security Council’s first straw poll, UN trade chief Rebeca Grynspan leads the race to succeed António Guterres, with Ecuador’s María Fernanda Espinosa also in the field.

Space & Materials Engineering: Ecuadorian scientists won a UNOOSA/ESA space scholarship to study how hypergravity affects cement paste hardening, using ESA’s Large Diameter Centrifuge to design more resilient construction materials for Earth and future Moon infrastructure. UN Leadership Race: A Security Council straw poll put Rebeca Grynspan (UNCTAD) ahead in the race to succeed António Guterres, with Ecuador’s María Fernanda Espinosa also in the field. Ecuador Security & Drug Trafficking: Ecuador’s Interior Minister John Reimberg was shot during an anti-drug operation in Esmeraldas; authorities arrested the alleged shooter and others, including a police officer. Maritime & Canal Security: Panamax 2026 drills are underway with naval units from Ecuador and other regional partners, focusing on protecting the Panama Canal and improving maritime interdiction coordination. Agribusiness & Exports: Ecuador remains a major banana exporter, and the country’s banana trade weight is highlighted alongside global supply routes. Energy & Trade Flows: US data shows no crude oil imports from Iraq for a fifth straight week, while Ecuador appears among key suppliers to the US. Industry Watch: Hero MotoCorp reported strong July dispatch growth (19% YoY) driven by domestic demand and scooter momentum, while exports softened.

UN Secretary-General Race: The Security Council has kicked off informal voting to pick Antonio Guterres’ successor, with Ecuador’s María Fernanda Espinosa among seven candidates and early straw-poll support showing no clear lock for any single contender. Ecuador Security & Industry Impact: Ecuador’s Interior Minister John Reimberg was shot at during an anti-drug operation in Esmeraldas, underscoring how organized crime and illegal fuel trafficking keep disrupting public safety and logistics. Maritime Security for Trade Routes: Panamax 2026 is running canal-defense drills with vessels from Colombia, Ecuador, the U.S., Mexico, and others, aimed at protecting one of the world’s key shipping arteries. Ecuador Energy & Climate Risk: Emergency planning is ramping up across the region for a “Super El Niño,” with Ecuador among the countries preparing for extreme weather that can hit agriculture and exports. Local Business & Mobility Demand: Hero MotoCorp reported July dispatch growth—domestic up to 5.01M units and total dispatches 5.33M—while exports fell, and the firm expanded its international footprint including entry into Ecuador. Trade Policy Shock: New U.S. Section 301 forced-labor tariffs on 60 countries take effect, adding compliance pressure for importers and supply chains tied to Ecuador’s broader trade flows.

Ecuador Security: Ecuador’s Interior Minister John Reimberg was shot at during an anti-drug operation in Esmeraldas; authorities arrested Patricia Espinisa (“Lili”) and others, including a police officer allegedly involved in logistics for drug routes. Maritime & Justice: A prosecutor investigating alleged U.S. boat strikes and torture of Ecuadorian passengers, Alexandra Bravo, was killed in Manta—new reporting highlights calls for transparency and questions over evidence. Climate & Exports: Latin America braces for a “Super El Niño,” with emergency plans activated across countries including Ecuador as flooding, drought, and price shocks threaten agriculture and infrastructure. UN Leadership Race: UN Security Council straw polling puts UNCTAD chief Rebeca Grynspan early ahead for secretary-general, with Ecuador’s María Fernanda Espinosa trailing. Energy Transition: Ecuador will invest $117.6M in renewable energy in the Galápagos to support a sustainable power transition. Mining & Finance: DPM Metals reported record Q2 free cash flow and earnings, with production targets including projects in Ecuador.

Ecuador Security Update: Ecuador’s Interior Minister John Reimberg was shot at during an anti-drug operation in Esmeraldas; authorities arrested Patricia Espinoza (“Lili”) and others, including a police officer allegedly involved in logistics for drug trafficking and illegal fuel routes. UN Leadership Watch: UN Security Council informal voting to pick the next secretary-general has Rebeca Grynspan (UNCTAD) as an early frontrunner, with Ecuador’s María Fernanda Espinosa also in the race as straw polls continue behind closed doors. Climate Risk for Industry: Latin America is bracing for a “Super El Niño,” with emergency plans activated across countries including Ecuador as flooding and drought patterns threaten agriculture and infrastructure. Trade & Tariffs: The U.S. finalized new Section 301 forced-labor tariffs covering imports from 60 countries, with exemptions that could reshape sourcing and manufacturing inputs for regional exporters. Mining & Finance: DPM Metals reported record Q2 free cash flow and earnings, with operations including Ecuador, alongside a declared quarterly dividend. Marine & Fisheries: A new study finds drifting FADs affect more than half of the world’s marine protected areas, pushing calls for tighter limits and better retrieval responsibility.

Ecuador Energy & Environment: Amnesty International urges Ecuador to fully comply with a 2021 court order to eliminate gas flares near populated areas in the Amazon and provide reparations—saying authorities have only created the appearance of compliance. Ecuador Security: Ecuador’s Interior Minister John Reimberg was shot at during an anti-drug operation in Esmeraldas; police arrested Patricia Espinoza (“Lili”) and others, including a police officer allegedly linked to logistics for drug trafficking and illegal fuel routes. UN & Diplomacy: UN Security Council secret straw polls begin to select the next secretary-general; UNCTAD chief Rebeca Grynspan leads early support, with Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett second and IAEA head Rafael Grossi third. Mining & Investment: DPM Metals reports record Q2 free cash flow ($227M) and declares a $0.04 quarterly dividend; the company also highlights progress at Vareš and a major copper-gold discovery at Chelopech (Brevene South). Agribusiness & Trade: EU fruit imports hit $77.42B in 2025, with bananas and avocados leading demand; Ecuador is cited as a top banana supplier. Maritime & Fisheries: A global study finds drifting tuna fishing gear (dFADs) affects more than half of the world’s marine protected areas, calling for tighter limits and better device tracking and retrieval. Ecuador-Linked Global Trade: Japan’s oil import mix shifts sharply in June, with smaller shares from Ecuador amid broader geopolitical disruptions.

UN Trade & Industry Watch: The UN Security Council kicked off the race to replace António Guterres with a first secret straw poll, where UNCTAD chief Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica) led early with 10 “encourage” votes, followed by Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett (Guyana) and Rafael Grossi (IAEA). Mining & Metals: DPM Metals reported record Q2 free cash flow of $227M, declared a $0.04 quarterly dividend, and said its Vareš ramp-up is on track for full-year production while drilling continues at Chelopech (Ecuador included in its portfolio). Ecuador Energy & Environment: Ecuador is set to invest $117.6M in a renewable energy project in the Galapagos, pushing a cleaner grid ahead of climate and drought pressures. Agri-Food Trade: A new report shows the EU hit $77.42B in fruit imports in 2025 (+20%); bananas and avocados remain key, with Ecuador cited as a leading supplier. Ecuador Business & Exports: KOTRA held a Korea-Chile export consultation that drew Latin American buyers including Ecuador, signaling continued demand for Korean food, consumer goods, and industrial tech. Security & Logistics Risk: US airstrikes aimed at cocaine routes haven’t reduced cocaine flow to the US, according to DEA/Pentagon analysis—bad news for regional supply chains and enforcement planning.