In a new edition of Agroestrategas TV alongside Agrositio, we delve into the story of Che Mate with its director, Mateo Comba. His testimony not only reflects the evolution of a family business with roots in agricultural production but also a business vision that bets on diversification and innovation as pillars of growth. In this conversation, Mateo shared details on how the company has managed to expand while maintaining its essence and tackling the challenges of the sector.
From the field to innovation
Mateo comes from a family that has always bet on independent work. With a father who is an agronomist and a mother who is a civil engineer, the entrepreneurial DNA was already present. What started as an agricultural production company in La Pampa soon became an ecosystem of diversified businesses.
Fifteen years ago, due to the climatic and political challenges of the agricultural sector, his father decided to explore new opportunities. That’s how they arrived in San Juan, where they began olive production and later ventured into growing raisins and pistachios.
A family business that evolves
Each of the five Comba siblings plays a key role within the company. From sales and bioeconomy to production and marketing, teamwork is the foundation of their success. Decision-making follows a structured process, where each proposal is debated and analyzed before being executed. A clear example of this dynamic is Che Mate’s recent entry into the U.S. market through Amazon, a project that Mateo initiated and is now a reality.
The decision-making structure within the company is a key element of its success. According to Mateo, any new initiative undergoes a rigorous evaluation before being approved.
“We criticize our own ideas before moving forward with them; we always seek to find the balance between risk and opportunity,” he emphasizes.
Adaptability and a global vision
From Rosario to Misiones, through San Juan and Buenos Aires, the Comba family understands that diversification is key. “It’s not the same to produce pumpkins in Misiones as it is to grow pistachios in San Juan,” Mateo comments. Their ability to adapt to different productive ecosystems allows them to reduce risks and explore new markets.
From optimizing water use in San Juan to incorporating new technologies in yerba mate production, every step they take is based on a deep market and environmental analysis.
Passion and teamwork
Beyond the numbers and strategies, what stands out when listening to Mateo is his enthusiasm. “There’s nothing more beautiful than seeing all the siblings working with passion and energy,” he says. For them, the real differentiator is their commitment to work and operational capacity.
Che Mate’s growth reflects how the combination of family values, business vision, and strategic flexibility can make the difference. In times of uncertainty, betting on innovation and teamwork is what allows them to keep moving forward.
This case shows that success is not just a matter of resources but attitude and adaptability. The story of Che Mate leaves us with a clear lesson: tradition and innovation can coexist, and when they work together, they can take a company to unimaginable places.
