Walmart Central America Launches Growth Summit 2025 to Empower Local Suppliers

Walmart Central America organized the first-ever Growth Summit 2025, the largest purchasing event in the region dedicated exclusively to products manufactured, grown, or assembled locally. The summit took place in Guatemala City and brought together companies of all sizes and industries from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

A Regional Platform for Local Businesses

Entrepreneurs and business owners had the chance to showcase their products in business meetings with Walmart buyers, aiming to join the network of over 23,000 suppliers that serve millions of customers across more than 930 physical stores and digital platforms.

The event was inaugurated by Guatemala’s President, Bernardo Arévalo, who highlighted the broader impact of the initiative:

“This reiterated confidence in the potential of Guatemala is possible and will have the desired impact to the extent that we know how to prioritize the necessary conditions: a strong rule of law, an institutional framework that fosters real competition and environmental care, effective investment in production and trade infrastructure, and above all, a focus on people’s well-being,” he stated.

Trust in Local Suppliers

Participating companies presented 100% local products with strong expansion potential. The finalists will continue the process of becoming official Walmart suppliers, gaining access to a large-scale regional market.

Cristina Ronski, CEO of Walmart Central America, emphasized the value of the summit:

“The Walmart Central America Growth Summit reflects our commitment to the region, which we reaffirmed with the US$1.3 billion investment announced last year. But, above all, it reinforces the confidence we have in Central American suppliers, with whom we have been growing for 20 years.”

The summit also became a showcase for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to connect with cross-border opportunities, boosting not only their businesses but also their local economies.

Programs Supporting Producers

Over the past two decades, Walmart Central America has launched initiatives to strengthen supplier capabilities, especially among manufacturing SMEs and agricultural producers. Programs such as Una Mano para Crecer and Tierra Fértil provide training, technical support, and specialized guidance.

Javier Treviño, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Walmart Mexico and Central America, explained:

“The Growth Summit is a window for local economic growth and the promotion of national products. We believe in local businesses because they have shown, for two decades, their ability to deliver high-quality, fresh, safe, and sustainable products.”

Thanks to these initiatives, hundreds of agricultural producers have standardized processes, gained access to new technologies, and improved commercialization. This has resulted in job creation, rural community development, and broader consumer access to fresh, locally sourced food.

Beyond Business Meetings

In addition to one-on-one sessions, the Growth Summit featured specialized conferences on Walmart’s supplier network dynamics, as well as direct interaction spaces with key company teams. These exchanges strengthened the collaborative ecosystem Walmart seeks to consolidate in the region.

The initiative also reinforced the company’s strategy of prioritizing local products, not only for their quality but also for their positive economic and social impact in Central America.

A Commitment to Growth and Sustainability

With the Growth Summit 2025, Walmart Central America reaffirmed its vision of being a driver of economic and social development in the region. The company remains committed to offering quality products at affordable prices while fostering the sustainable growth of local suppliers.

The event represented a significant milestone in Walmart’s relationship with Central America: a space that opens doors to innovation, strengthens competitiveness, and enhances the business network that ultimately improves the quality of life for millions of families.