Die Geschichte der Familie Dähler ist eine Reise über drei Kontinente. In den 1980er Jahren begann Johann Dähler in der Elfenbeinküste mit dem Anbau von Ananas und wurde schnell als „Ananaskönig“ bekannt. Nach politischen Unruhen und dem Verlust ihrer Plantage kehrte die Familie in die Schweiz zurück. Doch der Traum vom Ananasanbau lebte weiter.
In 2003, Johann Dähler and his son Jan moved to Costa Rica and founded Hacienda Roswitha in Sarapiquí. With ideal climatic conditions and fertile soil, the family once again began cultivating pineapples. Today, the plantation covers 780 hectares of land, with 450 hectares dedicated to pineapple production, while the rest is protected rainforest and pastureland for water buffalo. The family annually exports between 300 and 400 tons of pineapples to the USA, Canada, Europe, and Switzerland.
A special component of the Hacienda is water buffalo farming, which is strategically used to optimally utilize the wet and marshy soil areas that are less suitable for pineapple cultivation. The buffalo contribute to landscape maintenance, promote biodiversity, and help preserve natural habitats.
Additionally, the family produces high-quality buffalo meat, which is valued in the region as a sustainable and healthy protein source. This integration of livestock farming and agriculture makes Hacienda Roswitha a model farm for regenerative agriculture.
For the Dähler family, sustainability is not an option, but a matter of course. Finca Roswitha relies on environmentally friendly cultivation methods, including erosion control, sustainable water management, solar energy, and continuous improvement of soil fertility.
Social commitment is also not neglected: The family supports local educational and health projects, creates fair jobs, and offers further training for employees.
Thus, pineapple production becomes not only an economic success model but also a social and ecological showcase project.
It is a place of learning and experience. Visitors can take a guided pineapple tour, where they learn about the entire production process – from planting to harvesting – and have the opportunity to taste fresh pineapples directly from the field.
If you want to learn about the family’s history and experience the origin of this special fruit yourself, you are warmly invited to our Pineapple Tour at Finca Roswitha. The tour offers a fascinating insight into daily life on the plantation – from sowing to export preparation.
What awaits you?
The tour is ideal for nature lovers, families, educational travelers and anyone who wants to know where their fruit really comes from. Whether as a day trip from San José or as part of a round trip – a visit to Finca Roswitha remains unforgettable.
📍 Tour Information & Booking:
Click here for Pineapple Tour details
Behind all this is the conviction that agriculture not only creates food but also connection – to nature, to local people, and to consumers worldwide.
The Dähler family lives this philosophy every day: With Swiss precision, African life experience, and Costa Rican passion, a unique project has emerged at Finca Roswitha that goes far beyond pineapples.
