Data or statistical facts on the situation and perspectives of agri-food systems and the impact of policies
The article analyzes the biotechnological potential of the red macroalgae Kappaphycus alvarezii, Acanthophora spicifera, and Hypnea spinella as an ecological alternative for sustainable agriculture in Ecuador. It highlights their bioactive compounds—polysaccharides, amino acids, polyphenols, and phytohormones—which can replace synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. It also highlights that their...
Imports have steadily grown since 2018, with peaks in 2021 and 2022, due to rising international prices of commodities in which CAN countries have deficits, such as cereals and oilseeds (Furche, 2024).
More than US$10 billion is the surplus exhibited by the aggregated trade balance of the CAN agricultural sector, reflecting its strong export performance (Furche, 2024).
They reached US$20.559 billion, representing just over 13% of the total import value of the subregion (Furche, 2024).
Nearly 20% of the total export value corresponds to the consolidated exports of the CAN countries, reaching an amount of US$30,628 m, reflecting the importance of intraregional trade in economic strengthening (Furche, 2024).
84% of deforestation in the Amazon is caused by agriculture and cattle ranching, these being the main sources of ecological degradation (Lesenfants et al., 2024).
17% of the total area of the Amazon is affected by mining, contributing significantly to environmental degradation (Lesenfants et al., 2024).
6.14% of the Amazonian area in Ecuador was deforested between 2001 and 2020, making it the country with the third highest rate of deforestation (Lesenfants et al., 2024).
9.4% of the total area of the Amazon (797,824 km2) is composed of oil blocks, representing another important source of pressure on the ecosystem (Lesenfants et al., 2024).
0.17% of the global bioeconomy market, estimated at USD 7.7 billion by 2030, would be received by the Amazonian countries (Lesenfants et al., 2024).
