The turnover of the textile industry in Ecuador decreased by 36 per cent from $1.38 billion in 2019 to $885 billion in 2020, informs Ecuador’s Internal Revenue Service (SRI). Javier Diaz, President, Ecuadorian Association of Textile Industries (AITE) says, the Ecuador textile industry lost $500 million last year. Employment in textiles and manufacturing sector decreased 29 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively.

Data from Ecuador’s Central Bank (BCE) shows, the country exports of textiles increased from 26,000 tons worth $103.8 million in 2019 to 28,400 tons worth $104.4 million in 2020. This reflects a 9 percent rise in volume and a 1 per cent increase in revenue. The rise is mainly attributed to higher demand for abacáfibre used to make textiles and paper and specialty items such as face masks, says AITE.