Meet Emmanuel Taborda of Miami Wynwood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emmanuel Taborda.

Hi Emmanuel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Emmanuel started as a salesmen for a citrus company at 19 years old in charge of South Florida accounts. After that, Emmanuel became a buyer for a citrus company in the Miami produce market. In 2015, Emmanuel opened Tocumen Produce Inc. started selling fresh Florida citrus and California, in 2017 when the Florida citrus production began to suffer Tocumen began it’s first imports with Mexican oranges. Two years later, Emmanuel branched out to import Colombian limes. today, we import from Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay ,Chile and Argentina. along with South Africa and Morocco. In 2024 Tocumen expanded its operations and purchased the warehouse where we operate from today, including offering cold and dry storage and distribution services.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The process has not been without challenges. We have faced quality issues from suppliers, re-exportations of our products, facing possible temporary closures due to city rental permit compliance, and significant operational changes during the pandemic, which required restructuring our business from servicing cruise lines and restaurants to supplying supermarkets and sales outside Florida. Today, we also export to the Caribbean islands.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Tocumen Produce specializes in imports of citrus, specifically known for Colombian limes. I am proud of the family owned business I have created which includes my wife, brothers, in-laws, and life long friends.
What distinguishes me is my perseverance, honesty, and integrity. I approach every decision with consideration for others and strive to safeguard their interests, including being mindful and responsible with their financial commitments.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is tying to the best soccer team in the league because I blocked what could have been their winning goal. The entire team picked me up and celebrated me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tocumenproduceusa.com
• Instagram: tocumenproducemiami