Since its beginnings, AgroAmerica has had a clear purpose: to produce with excellence, serve with integrity, and contribute to the well-being of people and the planet.
Over the years, I’ve learned that what truly sustains a company is not its numbers, but the principles on which it is built.
Several studies support this idea. For example, “Corporate Culture: Evidence from the Field” (Journal of Financial Economics, 2022) surveyed executives across North America and found that a strong corporate culture—one that goes beyond mere statements of values—is closely linked to higher productivity, greater innovation, stronger ethical decision-making, better legal compliance, and increased company value. However, it also emphasizes that in many organizations, the values they proclaim often fail to translate into daily practice.
The values of AgroAmérica —diligence, teamwork, honesty, perseverance, responsibility, and generosity— are a living legacy from my father, who founded the company in 1958 with a clear vision: to work diligently, act with integrity, and serve with heart.
These values have been our compass. They are not words on a wall, but principles that guide every decision, every planting, every project, and every relationship we build.
Diligence: Doing Things Well, Always
Diligence means acting with care, commitment, and a passion for excellence. At AgroAmérica, we live it in every detail —from the planting and crop management to the quality that reaches the final consumer.
That mindset of doing things right, even when no one is watching, has allowed us to obtain international certifications, maintain long-term relationships with our clients, and most importantly, build teams that take pride in their work.
Teamwork: The Strength of Unity
My father used to say, “No one gets far alone,” and over time I’ve seen how true that is. Teamwork has been key to AgroAmérica’s ability to transcend borders. Thanks to the unity of our people, we have grown beyond Guatemala, reaching new countries and sharing our sustainable way of producing.
Teamwork is when a technician shares his experience with a new colleague, when departments coordinate to solve a logistical or climatic challenge, or when our doctors, nutritionists, and social promoters work together to improve the lives of neighboring communities.
That same collaboration has made it possible to implement impactful social projects with institutions, foundations, and international organizations that have trusted in our vision.
Nothing we have achieved would have been possible without the collective effort of the people who are part of this great family.
Honesty: Building Trust
Honesty is more than an ethical principle; it is the foundation on which every relationship of trust is built.
Being honest in our work, transparent in our processes, and true to our word has allowed us to maintain strong relationships with clients, communities, and partners.
Honesty is the right path —one that has helped us maintain a reputation more valuable than any award: the trust of those who work and collaborate with us.
Perseverance: Never Giving Up in the Face of Challenges
Agriculture teaches patience and resilience. The weather does not always cooperate, and markets are not always favorable, but perseverance has been our strength to move forward.
With effort and long-term vision, we have overcome natural, economic, and social challenges, always keeping faith in our purpose.
That persistence has allowed us to innovate, diversify products, and open new opportunities —such as the production of banana purée made from fruit that used to be discarded, turning a challenge into a sustainable opportunity.
Responsibility: Producing with Awareness
At AgroAmérica, responsibility is reflected in the implementation of sustainable practices, compliance with international standards and certifications, and ensuring a product that is not only of high quality but also produced responsibly.
This responsibility extends beyond our crops: it includes providing a living wage for our workers, the efficient and responsible use of water, reforestation and biodiversity conservation programs, and the operation of our comprehensive health program, which provides medical care to thousands of people in nearby communities.
Every action has a purpose —to care for the land, our people, and the future. Being responsible means understanding that the well-being of people and the planet is directly linked to the success of the company.
Generosity: Sharing What We’ve Received
My father was a generous man. He firmly believed that true success is not measured in numbers, but in the ability to share what one has received.
That spirit is still alive in AgroAmérica. We see it reflected in the millions of bananas donated over the years to fight hunger and support vulnerable communities.
We also see it in our social and environmental programs that aim to improve quality of life, promote education, strengthen health, protect natural resources, and create sustainable development opportunities for the families in our surrounding areas.
Generosity does not impoverish; it multiplies. And in our case, it has multiplied hope, trust, and opportunity.
A Living Legacy
I’ve mentioned some of our programs in this blog not to highlight what we’ve done, but because at AgroAmérica they serve as a thermometer —a way to evaluate whether our values are truly lived and what impact they have had.
Our purpose is to demonstrate that it is possible to do business with conscience, grow with purpose, and inspire other companies to invest in their workers and in the communities where they operate.
Today, I can say with certainty that these values continue to guide every step of AgroAmérica.
They are not just words on a wall or promises written in a report —they are a way of living. A legacy that drives us to improve, to serve with humility, and to remember that every action counts.
And when I see the results —committed employees, stronger communities, healthier ecosystems— I understand that my father’s legacy continues to give life.
Because in the end, the true success of a company lies not only in what it achieves, but in what it leaves behind.