Estrategia de internacionalización para enfrentar las oportunidades y desafíos en las exportaciones del sector cacaotero de las pymes de El Oro, bajo el contexto de la firma del tratado de libre comercio entre Ecuador y China en el año 2024.

Abstract

Ecuador has a great biodiversity, with cocoa being one of the products that most benefits the national economy. In recent years, Ecuadorian cocoa has experienced a notable increase in demand and price, both in the national and international markets. According to the National Producer Price Bulletin 2024 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), the prices of fine aroma cocoa and CCN51 cocoa increased significantly in 2024 compared to 2023. This increase is due to a production deficit in the main cocoa producing countries, such as Ghana and Ivory Coast, affecting global supply and creating an opportunity for Ecuadorian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The signing of a Free Trade Agreement between Ecuador and China in May 2024 represents an opportunity to increase Ecuadorian exports, including cocoa, with a gradual tariff reduction. SMEs in the province of El Oro, in particular, have the potential to benefit significantly by expanding their production and accessing new markets. However, these companies face challenges, such as the need for technical training, adaptation to international regulations, and management of climatic and pest risks. The objective of the project is to develop an internationalization strategy to address the opportunities and challenges in the cocoa sector exports of SMEs in El Oro, in the context of the signing of the free trade agreement between Ecuador and China in 2024. The methodology used in this research consists of the use of theoretical and empirical methods, which allowed the analysis of data from primary and secondary sources. Resulting in sufficient knowledge for the development of an internationalization strategy for the cocoa sector exports of SMEs in El Oro.