Cartopel warns of a 50 percent paper price surge threatening Ecuadorian exporters

The Ecuadorian packaging market is facing unprecedented structural tension. Rodrigo Cordero, CEO of Cartopel, has confirmed that paper prices have surged by more than 50% in just four months. This escalation represents the highest increase recorded by the local industry in three decades, a figure that transcends a mere market fluctuation to become a primary logistical challenge for the country's macroeconomic engine.

The pressure on the export chain

Ecuador consumes approximately one million tons of paper annually. According to data provided by Cartopel, only about 40% of this volume is produced locally, leaving the market highly exposed to international volatility, freight costs, and global shortages of virgin fiber and recycled materials. This deficit directly impacts the corrugated cardboard supply chain, the essential packaging for Ecuador's main non-oil exports.

Sectors such as bananas, shrimp, flowers, fishing, and fresh fruits depend entirely on a steady and competitively priced supply of corrugated boxes. A 50% increase in the primary raw material (kraft liner and fluting) inevitably compresses the margins of exporters or forces a price transfer in highly competitive international markets.

The strategic value of vertical integration

In this context of scarcity and high costs, vertical integration proves to be a critical competitive advantage. Cartopel operates with a structure designed to mitigate these exact external shocks. The company maintains four active plants in the country, including its own paper mill in Cuenca, alongside corrugating facilities in Cuenca, Guayaquil, and Machala.

• Cuenca Paper Mill: Ensures a baseline supply of medium and liner paper.
• Strategic Corrugators: Located in key industrial and agricultural hubs (Guayaquil and Machala) to serve the coastal export sectors directly.

While local production cannot entirely shield the market from global pricing trends, integrated companies like Cartopel can guarantee supply continuity. As we navigate the final quarter of 2026, the ability to secure raw materials will be just as critical as the price itself. The Ecuadorian packaging industry must accelerate its efficiency and material optimization strategies to support an export sector that cannot afford to stop shipping.