Agro-industrial clusters and export trajectories in Ecuador: a comparative analysis of cluster governance maturity and development

Industrial clusters have become central to policy debates on competitiveness and structural transformation in emerging economies; however, robust empirical evidence regarding their effectiveness remains limited. This study develops a comparative framework to characterize agro-industrial cluster initiatives in Ecuador based on export trajectories, governance structures, and organizational maturity. A mixed-methods design combines quantitative analysis of export dynamics using compound annual growth rates with a qualitative assessment of policy frameworks and institutional arrangements across seven agro-industrial clusters. The findings reveal substantial heterogeneity in cluster performance. Recently established clusters initiatives, including rice, dairy, and beef, exhibit growth rates exceeding 40%, whereas more mature clusters such as banana and forestry follow more stable trajectories. The findings indicate that variations in cluster maturity are associated with distinct export trajectories. By integrating export performance, governance characteristics into a comparative framework, the study provides empirical evidence on cluster development in emerging economies, highlighting the importance of policy continuity, institutional capacity, and effective coordination for long-term cluster consolidation.