Sysco Bolsters Its Reach in the U.S. Hispanic Food Market

by Avocado insight Magazine / XIA Analytics support

ATLANTA,March 19, 2025 — Sysco Corporation, the world’s leading food distributor, is deepening its foothold in the fast-growing Hispanic market in the United States, a segment driven by a population exceeding 60 million and a buying power topping $2 trillion. While not a standalone division, Hispanic food products are woven into Sysco’s broadline operations, bolstered by targeted acquisitions and specialized platforms.

Since 2015, Sysco has run “Sobremesa,” a bilingual microsite for Hispanic foodservice operators. “We can’t overlook such an influential market,” said Diego Rondón, then senior director of segment marketing at Sysco. The site offers recipes and trends tied to Latino authenticity, a priority for 86% of Hispanics who value taste above all, per a 2023 ThinkNow and Abasto study.

Acquisitions have fueled Sysco’s strategy. In 2019, it bought J&M Wholesale Meats and Imperio Foods, California-based distributors serving the Hispanic market, with combined annual sales of $44 million. These deals added traditional meats and canned goods vital to Latino cuisine. “Sysco sees Hispanic food as more than a niche—it’s gone mainstream,” said Maria Gomez, a Houston-based food industry analyst.

In 2025, the U.S. edible meat market, where Sysco plays a major role, is projected to hit $136.23 billion, according to Mordor Intelligence. Nielsen hasn’t released 2025 data on Sysco, but its 2012 report, “The Hispanic Market Imperative,” flagged this segment’s rise—a trend Sysco has seized. The company supplies thousands of restaurants with staples like tortillas and chiles, mirroring Latino cuisine’s surge.

Despite its 2024 “Sysco Earth Plus” sustainability push, no new Hispanic-focused initiatives have emerged in 2025. Still, experts see potential. “They could innovate with plant-based Latino flavors,” Gomez said. With over 330 facilities, Sysco bridges Hispanic heritage and American tastes seamlessly.

 ThinkNow “Hispanic Food Preferences Study,” 2023. Mordor Intelligence, “U.S. Edible Meat Market,” 2025 forecast. Sysco Corporation, official releases and website, 2015-2024. Interview with Maria Gomez, food industry analyst, Houston, March 2025.   Nielsen, “The Hispanic Market Imperative,” 2012.