Commodities

Rabobank’s latest half-yearly outlook for global aquaculture shows that salmon producers have much to look forward to, while the outlook for shrimp farmers is more challenging.

Income growth remained negative for only the second time since the 2015 inception of the Australian Farmland Index, as lower commodity prices and climatic changes have an impact.

A mixed bag for 2023 looks set to continue next year – but savvy investors are still finding success.

Levelling out farmland prices, higher interest rates and widespread drought present prospective buyers with plenty to consider.

The number of farmland transactions continued to decline in the first half of the year, which fell to its lowest level in the past 28 years.

The firm has already deployed approximately 40% of the vehicle and has had a A$1.5bn bid accepted by listed Australian agribusiness Costa Group.

Costa Group chairman Neil Chatfield said the deal is in the best interests of shareholders, despite Paine Schwartz having reduced its offer from A$1.6bn.

The Australian Taxation Office has published its annual report covering the state of its register of foreign ownership of Australian water – with Canadian investors still the largest holders of water entitlements.

The sale represents Cibus Capital’s first exit of a wholly owned portfolio company from the $322m Cibus Fund I.

The Australian government’s proposed intervention in Murray-Darling Basin water markets should be good news for investors in terms of values – but it may come with additional scrutiny should weather conditions get drier.