Anyone who had the privilege of knowing our founder, Don Eduardo Gómez, knows we are telling the truth. No one who ever crossed paths with him or had a conversation with him could argue otherwise. He was a gentleman and a leader—empathetic, kind, considerate, generous, and grateful.
It was his charisma and kindness that always defined him and opened doors in such a complex industry as the banana trade. He was deeply concerned about the needs of his workers, treated collaborators and clients fairly, and always gave his best effort every single day.
A passionate advocate for banana production.
Don Eduardo was born in a hospital owned by the United Fruit Company (later known as Chiquita Brands). He attended a school run by that same company, met his wife in the banana plantation where they were neighbors, and dedicated 40 years of his life to serving that company before becoming an independent producer and president of the National Banana Corporation (Corbana).
He was born in 1935 in Puerto Castilla, Trujillo, Honduras, to a Colombian father and a mother of English descent who was born in Roatán. His father worked for the banana company.
At the age of 4, he moved with his family to Golfito, Costa Rica, due to his father's job. He lived there until the third grade of elementary school.
Later, they moved to Almirante in Bocas del Toro, and then to Puerto Armuelles, both in Panama, where he continued his schooling until his graduation in 1948.
At the age of 13, he began working at Chiquita Brands as an accounting messenger.
Meanwhile, he pursued his high school studies through a U.S.-based correspondence school.
He earned his accounting degree from the International Correspondence School.
In 1955, while studying accounting, he married Doña Beatriz, and together they created a home.
With the arrival of computers, the company sent him to study System Programming with IBM in San José.
He was transferred from Panama to Costa Rica to work at Servicios Electrónicos de Datos y Ciencias Administrativas (SEDCA), a part of the United Fruit Company, where he computerized the accounting for the banana plantations.
In 1975, he was transferred to Numar as Regional Assistant Controller for its subsidiaries and later became the Financial Manager.
He completed the Executive Management program at INCAE in Nicaragua.
In 1981, he was appointed as the controller of Cobal (Compañía Bananera del Atlántico).
In 1983 and 1984, he handled the closure of the banana division in Golfito.
In 1988, his dream of becoming an independent producer was born, and he began planning the project for after his retirement.
In 1989, he bought the first 230 hectares from 85 people in 28 Millas de Batán, Limón.
In 1990, he retired after 40 years of work dedicated to the banana company.
In 1991, he began working on the drainage systems to get the farm up and running, but the project was delayed due to the earthquake in Limón, which damaged the area.
In March 1992, he finally began producing bananas and founded Coriban (Costa Rica Banana) along with 17 other independent producers.
In 1993, 1994, and 1995, during the European market crisis, he was forced to sell on consignment and suffered significant financial losses.
In 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999, he managed to sell his production to Dole of the Standard Fruit Company.
In 2000, he sold his fruit to Caribana, and in 2001, he sold it to Bandeco (Del Monte).
In 2002, he co-founded Rumisel with other producers to sell directly to European customers. This strategy strengthened his company and positioned it as a leading player in the banana industry in Costa Rica.
By understanding the details of the events, it becomes clear why our company is called Grupo Esfuerzo; it was precisely that value, effort, that marked the life and career of Don Eduardo. He never took the easy path; he always did what was right.
An Exemplary Father
What was the key to Don Eduardo's success? We could say it was his "why." What motivated him to work with dedication and commitment, first as an employee and later as an entrepreneur, was always his family: to leave a legacy and financial security that would ensure the peace and prosperity of his loved ones, even after he was no longer here. He demonstrated, through his life, that the well-being of people and the unity of the family come first. He loved spending time with his three children, six grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren, and having them gather together frequently. That was his greatest joy.
A Man of His Word
But if we had to sum up all his virtues, both as an entrepreneur and as a father, in one phrase, we would say that Don Eduardo was truly "a man of his word." The greatest lessons he left to his descendants, collaborators, clients, and friends all have one thing in common: keeping his promises. Honoring agreements. It was his word that built an impeccable reputation that continues to transcend.