Floriculture in Ecuador continues to be affected by protests against the abolition of diesel subsidies, which started on 22 September and are now in their third week. As a result, growers are suffering production losses and are forced to make hour-long detours to the airport.
As in 2019 and 2022, the discontinuation of the subsidy and the resulting increase in diesel prices are leading to blockades and other protests in Ecuador. Unlike in previous years, the protests are mainly limited to the area north of Quito, the region where nurseries are located. At the same time, major player Esmeralda Farms, which is situated closer to the capital, claims it is hardly affected, if at all.
Meanwhile, however, the dispute is starting to drag on, with activists threatening to extend their protests to Quito, which would affect a larger area. This week, interest group Expoflores expressed anger about a ‘visit’ by activists to Much Flowers, a grower of roses, among other things. The protest has been reported to the judicial authorities, as staff were allegedly intimidated into participating, although the organising body, Unorcac (based in the centre of resistance, Cotocachi), refutes this version of events.
