Tucked away in Palora, often referred to as the “Eden of the Amazon,” within the lush province of Morona Santiago, Ecuador, lies Finca Leones, a family farm that stands as a testament to tradition, sustainability, and the cultivation of the world’s most distinctive Pitahaya. This land, rich in natural beauty and biodiversity, shares its boundaries with the Sangay National Park, covering more than half of Palora’s territory. This proximity to a protected area affords Finca Leones a unique natural setting, surrounded by a diverse array of flora and fauna, along with stunning waterfalls, lagoons, and rivers, creating the perfect backdrop for the cultivation of our exceptional fruit.

Finca Leones owes its inception to the foresight and dedication of Doña María, the family matriarch, who pioneered the cultivation of Pitahaya on this fertile land. Her legacy is a story of connection to the earth and a vision for the future. Starting with an initial grant of 3.5 hectares to each of her eight children, Doña María not only seeded a crop but also planted the roots of a family enterprise that would grow to define the essence of sustainable agriculture in Ecuador. Today, under the canopy of the Ecuadorian Amazon, Finca Leones spans 60 hectares (148 acres), dedicated to the production of Palora Yellow Pitahaya, with an annual yield of over 900,000 kg (1,980,000 lbs), reflecting both the richness of the soil and the success of our family’s commitment to this land.

In early 2018, Finca Leones expanded its horizons with the establishment of Amazon-Fruit Frexot Productora y Comercializadora S.A., a state-of-the-art packing and export facility that epitomizes our commitment to quality and innovation. Meeting the stringent standards set by AGROCALIDAD, the Ecuadorian government’s regulatory agency that oversees Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), this facility represents a significant milestone in our journey, enhancing our capacity to bring the unique taste of Palora Yellow Pitahaya to the world. We are a FDA foreign registered packing facility, underscoring our unwavering dedication to best practices in agriculture and food safety.

The vertical integration of our operations, from the nurturing soil of Palora to the global market, is further solidified through Frexotic Inc, our United States-based importing and distribution arm. This 100% minority and 51% women-owned enterprise ensures that the fruits of our labor, nurtured in the “Eden of the Amazon,” reach consumers across the globe, maintaining the integrity, quality, and unique flavor that define our Palora Yellow Dragon Fruit.

At Finca Leones, our story is one of family, of the rich, untouched beauty of the Amazon, and of a commitment to practices that respect the earth and yield unmatched quality. From the pioneering spirit of Doña María to the sustainable innovations of today, we stand proud as custodians of a legacy that offers the world a taste of the extraordinary, nurtured in the heart of Ecuador.