Snacks in 2025: The big picture
The retail market for snacks in Ecuador is set to make only a partial recovery in current value terms in 2025, following a significant decline in 2024. The latter was driven by a combination of factors, including power outages, concerns over public safety, and economic instability, which disrupted both consumer purchasing behaviours and the supply chain. Small local grocers, a key channel for snack sales, faced reduced operating hours due to power cuts, limiting opportunities to make impulse purchases. This, coupled with reduced consumer confidence, led to fewer visits to retail outlets, especially in more vulnerable areas. In addition to these challenges, the VAT increase in 2024 placed additional financial strain on both consumers and brands. Many companies, aware of the potential negative impact on demand, opted not to increase prices despite the higher tax burden.
Key trends in 2025
Discounters are becoming increasingly popular in Ecuador, reshaping how consumers approach snack purchases. With many shoppers managing tight budgets, these stores are opening up new opportunities for affordable indulgences. In response, brands are adapting their packaging and pricing strategies - offering pack sizes that are perceived as offering good value. For instance, Mondelez has introduced a six-pack of Oreos specifically for discounters, while still offering the traditional 12-pack in supermarkets. This approach allows the brand to attract cost-conscious consumers in discounters without cannibalising sales in other key channels, like small local grocers.
Competitive landscape
Unilever Andina Ecuador SA has established itself as the leader in Ecuador’s snacks market, driven largely by its commanding presence in ice cream through its flagship brand, Pinguino. Pinguino has established a deep-rooted emotional connection with Ecuadorian consumers, and its diverse product range appeals to a broad demographic - from children to older adults and across income levels - bolstered by international names like Cornetto and Magnum.
Channel developments
Small local grocers represents the leading distribution channel for snacks in Ecuador, primarily due to their convenience and strong ability to drive impulse purchases. These stores play a crucial role in urban and rural areas, offering easy access to snacks for everyday consumers. However, their performance has been affected by several challenges. Increased insecurity in some regions has led to reduced opening hours, limiting sales opportunities. Additionally, power outages in 2024 disrupted the ability of these grocers to maintain refrigeration for perishable products like ice cream, further hindering demand.
What next for snacks?
Retail sales of snacks in Ecuador are projected to experience positive growth in both volume and constant value terms (at 2025 prices) over the forecast period. This will be supported by a gradual recovery in consumer purchasing power, improvements in the overall economic and political landscape, and the stabilisation of key macroeconomic indicators, following a turbulent 2024. Although challenges such as inflation, high crime rates, and the 2024 VAT hike have had a negative impact on consumption, brands have adapted by maintaining competitive pricing and avoiding significant price increases that could deter consumers.
Delivery:
Files are delivered directly into your account soon after payment is received and any tax certification is verified (where applicable).
This report comes in PDF with additional info in Excel included.
Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Snacks industry in Ecuador with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to a comprehensive range of core packaged food categories.
If you're in the Snacks industry in Ecuador, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Snacks in Ecuador report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Snacks in Ecuador?
- Which are the leading brands in Snacks in Ecuador?
- How are products distributed in Snacks in Ecuador?
- How is the rise of e-commerce and/or the expansion of modern grocery retail impacting traditional retail?
- What are the key health and wellness concerns driving, or challenging, sales in Snacks?
- How significant are vegan and vegetarian dietary requirements in determining sales growth in Ecuador?
- How has COVID-19 impacted consumer demand? To what extent have lockdown, home seclusion and stockpiling boosted sales? Will the longer term economic repercussions of the pandemic stimulate or suppress future growth?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
- How significant will values-based claims, such as sustainability and ethical labelling, be in supporting future growth and brand equity?
Snacks in Ecuador
Snacks in 2025: The big picture
Key trends in 2025
Competitive landscape
Channel developments
What next for snacks?
DISCLAIMER
Chocolate Confectionery in Ecuador
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Economic instability, rising crime rates and rocketing cocoa prices drive decline in chocolate confectionery sales
Universal Sweet Industries continues as market leader
Small local grocers continues to lead distribution, despite losing share to discounters
Retailers’ strategies will meet multiple consumer needs
Brand-led product innovations and social media investment will drive market expansion
Premium Ecuadorian chocolate confectionery will fail to gain significant traction, despite its eminent reputation
Gum in Ecuador
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Gum will struggle to achieve positive growth amid security concerns and decline in foot traffic
Confiteca dominates gum through highly recognised brands, targeted marketing and widespread distribution
Security concerns impacts small local grocers as convenience stores gain ground
Modest growth expected over forecast period
Tumix taps into mindful indulgence trend with new value-pack format
Brands look to prioritise flavour, fun and price
Sugar Confectionery in Ecuador
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Sugar confectionery sees signs of recovery, with standard mints leading the way
Super de Alimentos continues to expand, thanks to growing success of Trululu brand
Small local grocers remains cornerstone of sugar confectionery sales
Innovation to fuel modest growth in highly fragmented market
Dr Look pushes the boundaries of innovation
Mexican offerings gain popularity but face setbacks from import tariffs
Ice Cream in Ecuador
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Ice cream market struggles amid economic challenges
Unilever maintains leadership, but Industrias Lácteas Toni gains ground
Traditional outlets dominate, although discounters gain traction
Positive outlook for ice cream, but power outages remain a risk
Emotional marketing and digital innovation will be key player strategies
Flavour innovation and brand collaborations will drive consumer engagement
Savoury Snacks in Ecuador
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Demand for savoury snacks stabilises in 2025, following a challenging 2024
PepsiCo maintains leadership through strong brand portfolio and distribution
Discounters expand through combined focus on private labels and leading brands
Savoury snacks will see modest growth, although performance will vary by category
Doritos Cool Ranch campaign may serve as a benchmark for future launches
Health and wellness trend poses challenges, but indulgence will still drive consumption
Sweet Biscuits, Snack Bars and Fruit Snacks in Ecuador
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Sales of sweet biscuits, snack bars, and fruit snacks continue to decline amid ongoing consumer price sensitivity
Mondelez Ecuador leads sales through powerful brand portfolio and wide distribution
Discounters drive growth through targeted format adjustments
Affordability and impulse buying will fuel future growth
Oreo sets a new benchmark for innovation
Indulgence will continue to outweigh health and wellness trend
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Snacks
-
-
- Chocolate Pouches and Bags
- Boxed Assortments
- Chocolate with Toys
- Countlines
- Seasonal Chocolate
- Tablets
- Other Chocolate Confectionery
-
- Bubble Gum
- Chewing Gum
-
- Boiled Sweets
- Chewy Candies
- Gummies and Jellies
- Liquorice
- Lollipops
- Medicated Confectionery
-
- Power Mints
- Standard Mints
- Toffees, Caramels and Nougat
- Other Sugar Confectionery
-
-
- Frozen Yoghurt
-
- Single Portion Dairy Ice Cream
- Single Portion Water Ice Cream
- Plant-based Ice Cream
- Unpackaged Ice Cream
-
-
- Bulk Dairy Ice Cream
- Ice Cream Desserts
- Multi-Pack Dairy Ice Cream
-
- Bulk Water Ice Cream
- Multi-Pack Water Ice Cream
-
-
- Nuts, Seeds and Trail Mixes
-
- Potato Chips
- Tortilla Chips
- Puffed Snacks
- Rice Snacks
- Vegetable, Pulse and Bread Chips
- Savoury Biscuits
- Popcorn
- Pretzels
- Meat Snacks
- Seafood Snacks
- Other Savoury Snacks
-
-
- Dried Fruit
- Processed Fruit Snacks
-
- Cereal Bars
- Protein/Energy Bars
- Fruit and Nut Bars
-
- Chocolate Coated Biscuits
- Cookies
- Filled Biscuits
- Plain Biscuits
- Wafers
-
Why buy this report?
- Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders
- Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats
- Inform your marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions
This report originates from Passport, our Snacks research and analysis database.
NEW REPORT GUARANTEE
If you purchase a report that is updated in the next 60 days, we will send you the new edition and data extraction Free!