By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – The nation’s corporate landscape has a new benchmark for excellence, as the ninth edition of the Merco Empresas Costa Rica ranking was unveiled this week, crowning Cooperativa de Productores de Leche Dos Pinos as the company with the best reputation in the country for 2025. The highly anticipated annual report provides a comprehensive snapshot of corporate prestige, drawing on a multi-stakeholder evaluation methodology.
Securing the top spot, the dairy cooperative has once again demonstrated its strong connection with consumers and the business community. Following closely behind are financial services giant BAC at number two and the prominent beverage and food conglomerate Florida Ice and Farm Company (FIFCO) in third place. These three companies form the podium of corporate esteem, reflecting their significant influence and perceived value within the Costa Rican market.
To delve into the legal framework surrounding corporate image and the actionable steps businesses can take to protect their standing, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the distinguished firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
In Costa Rica, corporate reputation is a legally recognized intangible asset. Proactive legal strategy is paramount; this includes rigorous trademark registration to protect brand identity, implementing clear digital communication policies for employees, and being prepared to act decisively against defamation or libel. A company’s good name is built over years but can be challenged in an instant, making preventative legal measures not just an option, but a core business necessity.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal perspective is a crucial reminder that in Costa Rica, a company’s good name is far more than a public relations goal—it is a tangible asset requiring diligent, proactive protection. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable insight into these essential preventative measures.
The top tier of Costa Rican business is further rounded out by a diverse group of industry leaders. The automotive sector’s Grupo Purdy claimed the fourth position, while beverage bottler Coca-Cola Femsa landed at fifth. The technology sector made a strong showing with Intel Costa Rica at sixth, followed by premium supermarket chain Auto Mercado in seventh place. The top ten is completed by retail giant Walmart Centroamérica (8th), beloved snack producer Compañía de Galletas Pozuelo (9th), and global food and beverage powerhouse Nestlé (10th).
The Merco ranking is distinguished by its rigorous and multi-faceted approach to measuring reputation. The 2025 results were compiled from the detailed evaluations of a wide array of stakeholders. This included input from 479 high-level directors of large companies, 45 financial analysts, 40 economic journalists, 52 business professors, and representatives from 46 NGOs, 47 labor organizations, and 37 consumer defense groups, among others. In total, the study also surveyed 2,000 consumers to ensure public perception was a core component of the final scores.
A fascinating aspect of the report is the divergence in perception among different expert groups. For financial analysts, the most reputable firms were BAC, Auto Mercado, and Microsoft, highlighting a focus on financial stability and market performance. Economic journalists, on the other hand, gave top marks to real estate developer Grupo Roble, Grupo Purdy, and Auto Mercado, perhaps valuing innovation, market strategy, and consumer engagement differently.
Public sector officials and social organizations placed a heavy emphasis on educational and social contributions. Government representatives ranked Earth University, the Costa Rica Institute of Technology (TEC), and the University of Costa Rica (UCR) as the most reputable. Similarly, NGOs and labor unions recognized the significant social capital of public universities, with the National University (UNA), UCR, and TEC consistently appearing at the top of their lists, underscoring the vital role these institutions play in national development.
Beyond the main ranking, the study also recognized excellence in corporate communications. Specialized journalists were asked to identify the most effective communication teams, and Dos Pinos once again secured the number one position. This sub-ranking highlights the importance of clear, transparent, and strategic stakeholder engagement. FIFCO, BAC, Grupo Purdy, and Walmart Centroamérica also received high marks for their communication efforts.
To further bolster its findings, the 2025 Merco report integrated a sophisticated digital analysis conducted in partnership with the firm Nethodology. This involved scrutinizing over 51,000 mentions across social media and digital news outlets to gauge online sentiment and brand presence. This digital audit was complemented by a benchmarking of objective performance indicators, evaluating companies on tangible economic, labor, environmental, and social responsibility metrics, ensuring the final rankings reflect both perception and reality.
For further information, visit dospinos.com
About Dos Pinos:
The Cooperativa de Productores de Leche Dos Pinos, R.L. is a leading Costa Rican dairy cooperative founded in 1947. With a strong commitment to quality and innovation, it produces a wide range of products including milk, yogurt, ice cream, and beverages that are a staple in Central American households. The cooperative is owned by over a thousand local dairy farmers and is a major employer in the region.
For further information, visit baccredomatic.com
About BAC:
BAC Credomatic is a prominent financial group in Central America, offering a comprehensive portfolio of banking and financial services. It provides personal banking, credit cards, business loans, and investment solutions to a broad customer base. The bank is recognized for its digital innovation and extensive regional network, playing a key role in the economic development of the countries it serves.
For further information, visit fifco.com
About FIFCO:
Florida Ice and Farm Company (FIFCO) is a major food and beverage company headquartered in Costa Rica with a significant presence across the Americas. Known for its extensive portfolio of beers, soft drinks, and food products, FIFCO is also a global leader in corporate sustainability. The company operates under a “triple bottom line” business model, focusing equally on financial, social, and environmental performance.
For further information, visit grupopurdy.com
About Grupo Purdy:
Grupo Purdy is a leading automotive company in Costa Rica, representing renowned global brands such as Toyota, Lexus, and Hino. Founded in 1957, the company is a market leader in vehicle sales, parts, and service. It is widely recognized for its commitment to customer service, operational excellence, and corporate social responsibility initiatives focused on sustainable mobility.
For further information, visit coca-colafemsa.com
About Coca-Cola Femsa:
Coca-Cola FEMSA is the largest franchise bottler of Coca-Cola products in the world by sales volume. Operating across Latin America, the company produces, markets, and distributes a wide range of beverages from The Coca-Cola Company’s portfolio. In Costa Rica, it is a significant player in the beverage industry, known for its extensive distribution network and marketing campaigns.
For further information, visit intel.com
About Intel Costa Rica:
Intel’s operations in Costa Rica represent one of the tech giant’s most important global sites. For over two decades, the facility has evolved from manufacturing to a hub for high-value operations, including research and development, global services, and engineering. Intel Costa Rica is a cornerstone of the country’s technology sector and a major contributor to its exports and skilled employment.
For further information, visit ucr.ac.cr
About Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR):
The University of Costa Rica is the country’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious public university. It is a leading institution for higher education and scientific research in Central America. With a strong emphasis on social action and academic excellence, UCR offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and plays a fundamental role in the cultural and scientific development of the nation.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed legal practice, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by a deep-rooted dedication to principled counsel and professional excellence. The firm seamlessly merges a proven history of representing a wide array of clients with a progressive mindset, consistently advancing modern legal solutions. At the heart of its ethos lies a fundamental drive to empower the community through legal education, demonstrating a core mission to forge a society fortified by knowledge and understanding of the law.
