Agri Investor Impact Investing banner

Foreign Ownership of Australian Agricultural Land and Water

Australia is one of the world’s main markets for institutional investment in both agricultural land and water – with the market for the latter holding a unique status globally. Naturally, foreign investors are attracted to the quality of the opportunities on offer.

On the land side, almost all types of agriculture investment are available, from broadacre cropping or irrigated permanent agriculture, to some the largest cattle stations on the planet. The country’s water market, meanwhile, which has ensured water is a regulated, tradable commodity separate from land, is the envy of others overseas.

Foreign investments is naturally a major component of the institutional capital flowing into Australian land and water, as the stories that appear on this page highlight.

LATEST AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN OWNERSHIP STATISTICS

Aerial shot of yellow and green crop fields on Sunshine Farms Aggregation in NSW, Australia

Foreign ownership of Australian farmland: 2023 statistics

The amount of agricultural land with some level of foreign ownership fell by just 0.3% in 2023, far less than the 10% fall seen in 2022.

PREVIOUS STATISTICS

Subscribe now to gain unlimited access to our latest insights, analysis and reports

FIND OUT MORE

RELATED COVERAGE: INVESTMENT IN AUSTRALIA

CEFC provides financing for discounted loans to develop carbon farming projects

The scheme is the first time the CEFC has provided concessional financing to support the generation of carbon credits.

Australia and New Zealand keep foreign farm investment on a tight leash

Despite – or perhaps thanks to – their strategic appeal to global investors, Australia and New Zealand remain among the most restrictive countries in the OECD for foreign direct investment in agriculture.

SALIC sells 78,000ha portfolio in Western Australia to local buyers

Private Australian buyers have snapped up sizeable portfolios from asset managers including Proterra Investment Partners and Laguna Bay Pastoral Company in recent years.

How impact investing stacks up, by region

Report shows Europe leads the US on impact investing and allocating to emerging markets.

‘You’d never get to meet the money’ – LAWD’s Danny Thomas says institutional investors want to know the middleman

The senior director expects 2025 to bring an acceleration in irrigated agriculture, more deals arising from farming families exiting the industry and closer relationships with investors.

RELATED COVERAGE: INVESTMENT IN WATER

‘You’d never get to meet the money’ – LAWD’s Danny Thomas says institutional investors want to know the middleman

The senior director expects 2025 to bring an acceleration in irrigated agriculture, more deals arising from farming families exiting the industry and closer relationships with investors.

Three key trends in impact investing

Driving change with an impact roadmap.

Year in review, 2024: Natural capital remains in vogue

Governments have pressed ahead with the establishment of regulated nature markets while LPs and GPs continue to build out the space.

Kempen’s SDG Farmland Fund could double in next three years

Kempen portfolio manager Tim van den Pol says most of the growth will come through existing assets, with further acquisitions in new countries possible.

What’s in the stocking for agriculture investors in 2025?

The US may have an outsized influence on investment trends in the year ahead as Donald Trump casts his shadow over global conflicts, trade and climate issues.

RELATED COVERAGE: INVESTMENT IN FARMLAND

CEFC provides financing for discounted loans to develop carbon farming projects

The scheme is the first time the CEFC has provided concessional financing to support the generation of carbon credits.

Australia and New Zealand keep foreign farm investment on a tight leash

Despite – or perhaps thanks to – their strategic appeal to global investors, Australia and New Zealand remain among the most restrictive countries in the OECD for foreign direct investment in agriculture.

BNPP AM closes climate VC fund on €172m

The French firm has been growing its climate investing offering in recent years.

SALIC sells 78,000ha portfolio in Western Australia to local buyers

Private Australian buyers have snapped up sizeable portfolios from asset managers including Proterra Investment Partners and Laguna Bay Pastoral Company in recent years.

A new model for farmland investing?

Peoples Company is striking a balance between cooperative and competitive farmland services as it deploys institutional capital while supporting GP’s asset management.
agri
agri

Copyright PEI Media

Not for publication, email or dissemination