Dicarina

What Dicarina does

Dicarina S.A. is a Panamanian full-service distribution and logistics operator headquartered in Panama City, founded in 2000 and operating three distribution centers (Parque Sur, Divisa, David) totaling more than 37,000 m² of storage space, a fleet of 240 owned transportation units, and a workforce of 1,700+ workers including 500+ dedicated trade marketing collaborators. The company's service platform spans seven integrated modules: general distribution, cold chain, third-party logistics (with 12,850 m² of warehousing and shrink-wrap capacity exceeding 600,000 units/month), brand management and commercial strategy, foodservice with a corporate culinary center, multi-channel sales force operations, and point-of-sale trade marketing. Each day the company processes approximately 55 containers, ships 84,000 boxes, executes 1,425 deliveries across roughly 9,731 km via 150 delivery routes, and serves approximately 9,000 retail and institutional customers nationwide.

Operationally, Dicarina runs on a conventional enterprise technology stack — ERP, TMS, WMS, BI, GPS-monitored fleet routing, and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) replenishment processes — with no disclosed AI/ML layer. Customer coverage is segmented horizontally across four channels: Supermarket Chains (UTT), Traditional Retail (DTT), Pharmacy, and Specialized/Institutional Foodservice; segment prioritization is enterprise-led with UTT as the primary channel. Its brand portfolio exceeds 2,000 product references from multinational principals including Pringles (recognized globally as #1 market share), Kellogg's (Distributor of the Year Centroamérica y Caribe 2022), Unilever, Mondelez, Kenvue, Upfield/Flora Food Group, McCain, and Del Monte.

The business model combines transaction-fee distribution, managed 3PL services, and professional services (brand management, trade marketing), priced via custom B2B quotes rather than published rate cards. Go-to-market is sales-led through the largest reported sales force in Panama, supported by trade marketing personnel embedded at the point of sale. Revenue, ownership, and corporate financial data are not publicly disclosed; the company operates as a privately held Panamanian corporation (S.A.), with no identified parent or institutional investor in the source material. Geographic footprint is single-country (Panama) with no stated cross-border ambitions.

Name

Dicarina

Legal name

Dicarina S.A.

Website

https://dicarina.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Dicarina S.A. is a Panama-based full-service distribution and logistics operator serving 9,000 retail and institutional customers nationwide through three distribution centers, 240 vehicles, cold chain, 3PL, trade marketing, and foodservice capabilities on behalf of multinational FMCG principals including Kellogg's, Pringles, Unilever, Mondelez, and Upfield.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Panama City

HQ country

Panama

HQ region

Latin America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Distribution Services: Comprehensive distribution services including purchasing, storage, and distribution with coverage to 9,000 customers nationwide
2. Cold Chain Logistics: Temperature-controlled storage and distribution services with national coverage for perishable products
3. Third-Party Logistics (3PL): Third-party logistics operator services including storage, maquila/packaging, and transportation at competitive rates
4. Brand Management and Marketing Services: Brand team maintains supplier relationships, provides market analysis and commercial strategy coordination to achieve sales and performance targets
5. Foodservice Distribution: Specialized foodservice distribution with culinary center for product training and tasting, serving the gastronomic sector with globally recognized brands
6. Trade Marketing: Trade marketing services including product positioning at points of sale, ensuring execution excellence, availability, pricing, promotion, and assortment

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Dicarina delivers end-to-end distribution, logistics, and commercialization services for FMCG brands across Panama. Its core offering combines warehousing, transportation (including cold-chain), a dedicated sales force, and trade-marketing support so that brand owners can outsource route-to-market execution. The company operates 3 distribution centers with more than 37,000 m² of storage and a fleet of 240 transport units, serving modern trade, traditional trade, pharmacy, and specialized/foodservice channels.

Product overview

Dicarina is a leading full-service distributor in Panama offering an integrated platform of logistics and commercialization services for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). The company's service portfolio consists of seven core modules: Distribution Services (general warehousing and nationwide delivery with 3 distribution centers and 240 vehicles), Cold Chain Services (temperature-controlled storage and distribution), Logistics Operator Services (third-party logistics including packaging and labeling), Marketing Services (brand management and commercial strategy), Foodservice (specialized services for the gastronomic sector), Sales Services (multi-channel sales force operations), and Trade Marketing (point-of-sale execution and brand positioning). Together, these services support over 9,000 customers and manage a portfolio of more than 2,000 product references across consumer categories including groceries, personal care, dairy, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FMCG Distribution Services End-to-end physical distribution of fast-moving consumer goods in Panama, from pickup at brand-owner facilities to delivery to modern trade, traditional trade, pharmacy, and specialized/foodservice accounts. Targeted at FMCG manufacturers such as Unilever and Kellogg's that want to outsource route-to-market in Panama.
• Warehousing and Storage Services Multi-temperature warehousing (dry, chilled, frozen) across three distribution centers with more than 37,000 m² of combined storage capacity, used to hold brand-owner inventory until it is dispatched to retail accounts.
• Transportation and Distribution Fleet Owned fleet of 240 transport units, including refrigerated vehicles, used to deliver FMCG products to retail, pharmacy, and foodservice accounts across Panama, with GPS-based monitoring.
• Cold Chain Logistics Temperature-controlled warehousing, handling, and transportation for chilled and frozen FMCG products, enabling brands with perishable lines to be distributed by the same provider as ambient goods.
• Dedicated Sales Force / Route-to-Market Services Large in-house sales force (around 1,700+ people) that takes orders, executes deliveries, and performs in-store visits across Modern Trade, Traditional Trade, Pharmacy, and Specialized channels in Panama on behalf of brand owners.
• Trade Marketing Services Point-of-sale merchandising, promotions, and execution of brand-level trade-marketing programs at retail accounts across Panama, delivered together with the distribution and sales services.
• Foodservice / Specialized-Channel Distribution Distribution and merchandising of FMCG products into the foodservice channel (HORECA) and other specialized accounts in Panama, run as a dedicated channel alongside retail and pharmacy distribution.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serve approximately 9,000 customers nationwide
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UpfieldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic ally in business development; collaborate on sustainability initiatives including solar panels at Divisa branch, environmental programs with Fundación Valórate, and community outreach with Movimiento Nueva Generación; jointly organize 'Tarde de Alegría y Galletas' events; Upfield is a major brand in Dicarina's portfolio (Flora Food Group brands)
• Kellogg'scoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor brand partner; awarded Dicarina 'Distributor of the Year Centroamérica y Caribe 2022' and 'Tony Award 2022' recognizing outstanding distribution performance
• PringlescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor brand partner; recognized Dicarina for having the largest market share in the world for Pringles products
• Flora Food GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company of Upfield brands; joint environmental education programs including 'La Casa de Wanda' student tours; collaborated on school garden environmental program
• Movimiento Nueva GeneraciónminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting children and adolescents in vulnerable situations; joint activities include 'Tarde de Alegría y Galletas' events at Barraza center in El Chorrillo; collaboration on environmental education initiatives
• Fundación ValórateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner for social responsibility initiatives; collaborated on environmental awareness program at Biomuseo promoting conservation and sustainable lifestyle education
• Banco de Alimentos PanamáminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood bank partner; donated personal care products, detergent, and food for vulnerable sectors; received recognition from Banco de Alimentos de Panamá for solidary responsibility
• Club Activo 20-30minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization partner; donation made on behalf of Nutriben; supporting initiatives that generate positive community impact
• Mitradel (Ministerio de Trabajo y Desarrollo Laboral)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry partner for labor inclusion; participated in community tour led by President Laurentino Cortizo on April 1, 2022; commitment to inclusion of people with disabilities in employment
• Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá (UTP)minorOthersAcademic partner for university tours and internship programs; students learn about distribution processes and logistics operations
• ITSE (Instituto Técnico Superior Especializado)minorOthersTechnical institute partner for internship programs; multiple interns transitioned to full-time employees (Omar Rojas, Sebastián Aparicio, others)
• UIP (Universidad Internacional de Panamá)minorOthersAcademic partner for university tours and internship programs
• ULACYTminorOthersAcademic partner for university tours and internship programs
• Cleveland State UniversityminorOthersInternational university partner for academic tours; students from USA visited distribution facilities
• Georgia State UniversityminorOthersInternational university partner for academic tours
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)minorOthersInternational university partner for academic tours
• John Brown UniversityminorOthersInternational university partner for academic tours
• Southern Louisiana UniversityminorOthersInternational university partner for academic tours
• UMIP (Universidad Americana de Inversión)minorOthersInternational university partner for academic tours

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• McLane Company: One of the largest US broadline distributors serving grocery, convenience, and foodservice channels with private-label depth and route-based delivery. Comparable to Dicarina's combined CPG distribution, foodservice, and trade-marketing offering, but operating at substantially greater scale and in a more mature market.
• Sysco Corporation: Largest US foodservice distributor with a broad product portfolio, route-based delivery, and culinary support resources. Directly comparable to Dicarina's foodservice distribution module serving the gastronomic sector, hotels, and institutional kitchens.
• US Foods Holding Corp: Major US foodservice distributor serving restaurants, healthcare, and hospitality with broadline distribution and culinary support. Overlaps with Dicarina's foodservice, retail, and pharmacy-channel distribution modules and similar route density economics.
• Performance Food Group: US broadline foodservice and convenience distributor with Vistar and Core-Mark segments covering CPG, vending, and specialty channels. Mirrors Dicarina's multi-channel (UTT, DTT, Pharmacy, Specialized) CPG and foodservice architecture.
• DHL Supply Chain: Global contract logistics and 3PL provider with deep FMCG/CPG expertise including warehousing, packaging, and transportation. Comparable to Dicarina's Logistics Operator Services (WMS, maquila, 3PL warehousing) and distribution operations.
• Kuehne+Nagel: Global logistics company with major contract logistics and FMCG/consumer business, providing warehousing, distribution, and cold-chain services. Comparable to Dicarina's integrated warehousing, distribution, and temperature-controlled capabilities.
• Ceva Logistics: Global 3PL with strong FMCG and consumer-products focus, providing warehousing, contract logistics, and value-added services. Comparable to Dicarina's 3PL services, packaging/labeling maquila, and CPG distribution operations.
• Ryder System: US-based fleet leasing, dedicated transportation, and supply chain solutions provider. Comparable to Dicarina's 240-vehicle owned fleet, three-shift GPS-monitored delivery operations, and dedicated route economics.
• XPO Logistics: North American less-than-truckload and contract logistics provider with warehousing and last-mile capabilities. Comparable to Dicarina's warehousing, transportation, and last-mile delivery infrastructure across multiple customer channels.

Regional players

• Ransa: Peru-headquartered 3PL operating across Latin America providing warehousing, transportation, cold chain, and value-added services for FMCG clients. Most directly comparable regional peer to Dicarina's integrated CPG distribution, cold chain, and 3PL services operating model, though serving different national markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dicarina
• Instagraminstagram.com/dicarinaconpanama

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dicarina