family business group with a history of more than 100 years in the agro industry sector.
At the turns of the 1800’s was born Ricardo Batalla I. He was a visionary man, hard worker and field lover. Man of principles and family values, legacy that prevail today in his grandson and great-grandchildren.
1920
Ricardo Batalla I, passed away at a young age, leaving his wife Marta and 5 sons. His sons inherit his passion for the field and develop cattle and rice farms. By the decade of 50’s the family had + 7.000 hectares in different parts of the country.
1950
One of his sons, Ricardo Batalla II, diversified the farm by the 1960’s with African Palm.
The rice areas continued increasing. The family becomes one of the largest rice growers in the country.
1960
In the 80’s Ricardo Batalla II becomes one of the largest fresh fruit provider for Del Monte, thru and joint venture that lasted more than 30 years and exported over 90,000 of fresh fruit containers to different parts of the world.
1980
Ricardo Batalla II passed away in 1993. His companies are directed by the sons: Maria, Patricia, Roberto and Milena. Who founded BATGAL GROUP. The family decides diversify and develop a farm of green plantains for local customers.
2017
BATGAL Group starts to export green plantains to USA and Europe. This is the first and only plantains exporter in Costa Rica. One year earlier, the Group invested in the development of a portfolio of high-quality snacks and flours.
2023
The board of directors decides to invest in its own food plant.
Today, the family continues working the field, adding value to their products and innovating for the future generations.
2024
About our plantains: Curraré Enano
We cultivate the variety of plantain known as Curraré Enano (Musa paradisiaca), which belongs to the Musaceae family, a relative of the banana crop (Musa sp.). It is characterized by being a low-growing plant, with clusters considered 'medium-sized,' with average weights between 14 and 18 kg and with 35-40 fingers per cluster.
We produce safe plantains for our collaborators and consumers, respecting the environment and without giving up profitability.
Within our management plan, we include organic fertilizer and crop residues. This allows us to improve soil physics, increase the content of beneficial microorganisms, and enhance soil fertility.
Within the crop, we use a natural cover called Callisia sp., which significantly reduces the use of herbicides, protects the soil from erosion, and reduces water evaporation.
We are proud to report that we now conduct 100% of our aerial applications using drones. This ensures greater precision in applications, drastically reduces our carbon footprint, and allows us to apply only to areas that require it, under principles of precision agriculture.)