admin In the competitive arena of global entrepreneurship, few leaders exemplify purpose-driven success as clearly as Katya Torres De La Rocha. As the Managing Director of Mexgrocer Limited and Mexgrocer Europe, Katya has built more than a thriving import business—she has forged a cultural movement. With a mission rooted in authenticity, sustainability, and social responsibility, her work goes beyond food distribution; it reshapes how Europe experiences Mexican cuisine and how small producers in Mexico engage with international markets.
Her journey is one of perseverance, imagination, and transformation. Emerging from modest beginnings in Mexico, Katya has become a defining figure in the European food industry—blending business acumen with a passion for justice and cultural preservation.
Katya’s approach to leadership integrates cultural representation with sustainable business practices, enabling Mexican producers to access international markets while preserving traditional foodways.
Foundations of Resilience
Katya’s early life was shaped by economic hardship and the influence of strong female role models. Raised in a small town on Mexico’s Pacific coast, she entered the world of work before adolescence, navigating informal markets and developing a sharp instinct for enterprise. These formative experiences taught her not only resilience but also the interconnectedness of supply, labor, and value creation. She began as a recycling entrepreneur at twelve, an experience that introduced her to operational logistics and sustainability—principles that remain central to her work today.
With formal education in business and finance from Universidad La Salle and UNAM, respectively, she refined her early entrepreneurial insights into strategic leadership. Her academic pursuits eventually extended into teaching roles, where she helped others understand the intersection of finance, ethics, and international trade.
A Culinary Mission Takes Root
After operating four restaurants in London and Madrid, Katya identified a critical gap in Europe’s food supply chain: the lack of a credible, culturally respectful distributor of authentic Mexican food. This realisation led her to take over Mexgrocer in 2009, a venture that has since evolved into the largest Mexican food import business in Europe.
Under her leadership, Mexgrocer now supplies over 500 restaurants and retail chains, including Costco, Whole Foods, TKMaxx, and Getir. The product range spans more than 1,000 items—vegan, gluten-free, Kosher-certified, and always rooted in traditional Mexican preparation. The company imports approximately 4,000 tons of food and drink each year, reflecting its significant market presence and operational scale.
From the outset, the business has prioritised partnerships with small, independent producers in Mexico, particularly those practicing ethical labor and sustainable agriculture. For Katya, sourcing is not merely transactional—it is relational. Her team actively seeks out suppliers that share the company’s values, often providing micro-enterprises with their first opportunity to export to European markets.
Guiding Principles: Authenticity, Inclusivity, Sustainability
Mexgrocer’s philosophy revolves around three core principles. First is authenticity—ensuring that every product reflects the culinary traditions and regional diversity of Mexico. Katya has refused to compromise on taste or preparation methods, opting for genuine recipes and processes rather than modified versions tailored to foreign palates.
Second is inclusivity, achieved through a diverse product offering that accommodates various dietary and cultural needs. From gluten-free to vegan to Kosher options, the brand emphasises accessibility without compromising cultural identity.
Third is sustainability, both environmental and social. Mexgrocer operates with recyclable and compostable packaging, recycles all in-house cardboard and plastic, and maintains strong environmental controls across its supply chain. This commitment is further strengthened by due diligence processes that regularly evaluate supplier practices and product integrity.
Turning Adversity into Opportunity
Katya’s leadership has been tested repeatedly through global and regional disruptions. She launched Mexgrocer during the financial crisis of 2009, a decision that demanded creativity and grit. In 2017, an unexpected lease termination forced a sudden relocation of operations—a logistical challenge she met with characteristic focus.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Katya swiftly restructured the business model, shifting focus from hospitality to retail and e-commerce. The transition not only sustained the company but accelerated its growth, resulting in a 40% increase in revenue from the previous year. During Brexit, she expanded the business by founding Mexgrocer Europe in The Hague, establishing a new logistical hub to maintain service continuity within the EU.
Her capacity to convert uncertainty into progress has become a hallmark of her leadership style. She views each disruption as an opportunity to refine operations, expand networks, and reinforce brand relevance.
Recognition and Cultural Impact
The impact of Katya’s work extends far beyond business metrics. Mexgrocer has received accolades from prestigious media outlets, being named among the Top 50 Best Food Sites by The Times and Best Food & Drink Sites by The Independent. Katya herself has been honored by the Mexican Chamber of Commerce and celebrated at the LUKAS Awards for her contributions to the Latin American community abroad.
However, it is her cultural impact that distinguishes her legacy. Through her work, Katya has helped redefine perceptions of Mexican cuisine, elevating it from misunderstood street food to a sophisticated, diverse, and regionally expressive tradition. Her efforts have introduced consumers and chefs across Europe to the complexity and richness of ingredients like mole poblano, Tajín, and huitlacoche, enabling new culinary dialogues between continents.
Leading with Vision and Purpose
At the heart of Katya’s leadership is a long-term vision—a belief that entrepreneurship must serve a broader purpose. She approaches business not as an abstract pursuit of growth, but as a vehicle for justice, dignity, and cultural exchange. Her priorities remain clear: to improve the livelihoods of Mexican producers, to present the genuine flavors of her country with pride, and to ensure that every aspect of her company reflects ethical, sustainable principles.
Her internal team, many of whom are Mexican nationals living in Europe, shares this vision. Together, they operate not merely as employees, but as cultural custodians—people motivated by the knowledge that their work connects communities, empowers producers, and preserves traditions.
Her resilience in the face of crisis has redefined growth as a product of adaptability, making Mexgrocer a leading example of ethical innovation in global food distribution.
A Legacy in the Making
Katya Torres De La Rocha stands as one of the most inspiring business leaders of her generation—not just for her commercial achievements, but for the values she represents. She has built an enterprise that is profitable yet principled, expansive yet intimate, and international yet deeply personal.
In a world that increasingly demands purpose from its brands and authenticity from its leaders, Katya offers a model of how to lead with both.
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