Crops

The manager has lowered the fundraising target for its Australian Farmlands Fund due to restrictions on movement, but says investor appetite for assets remains strong, especially overseas.

The Canadian fruit and vegetable distribution and marketing company plans to service new export markets from the South American nation.

MIRA’s head of agriculture talks to Agri Investor about sustainable farming in the wake of covid-19, and provides an update on fund deployment and plans for a fourth fund.

AgroFresh CFO Graham Miao says a partnership with Paine Schwartz could be helpful beyond the company’s immediate focus of deleveraging its balance sheet.

Up to 10% of Fund II could end up invested in the asset class, with permanent crops and agtech growth equity eyed to help meet the vehicle’s 15% net return target.

The firm’s 2019 vintage fund has received commitments from institutional investors and is accelerating towards its $300m hard-cap.

The agtech company has developed a breeding platform that allows crops to be tailored to a desired nutritional and physical composition, differentiating them from competitor products.

The A$53bn industry fund says it may have to invest over shorter time horizons if the early withdrawal scheme is extended, despite a desire to extend its ag portfolio.

China has threatened major tariffs on barley while restricting imports of beef in what it calls an ordinary trade dispute but the Australian government suggests is ‘economic coercion’.

Homestead Capital Farmland Fund III had raised just over $400m by the end of 2019 and has a $600m target – the buy-and-lease strategy is expected to reach final close in June 2020.