Permanent Crops

The publicly traded REIT hopes to boost its share price, following an underperforming IPO.

Reid Carter of Brookfield timber is leading a group of high net worth investors in a precision agri company that aims to reduce pesticide use on tree crops.

The acquisition of a pistachio property adds diversity to the REIT’s portfolio, said its chief executive.

Australia's Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre puts the cost of fruit fly at A$300 million a year.

Timberland funds attracted $600 million less by volume than in 2014, and agri investments attracted $3.9 billion in 2014 and 2015, according to the natural resources investment survey.

The fund will focus on own-and-operate properties growing kiwi fruit, apples and wine grapes.

The real estate company paints a confident picture for further Australian farmland and cattle station sales in 2016.

Intensive farming and over-use of inputs has polluted much of China's agricultural land, which has depressed yields and farmer income.

The group hopes to build a regional hub for cacao production and global distribution, through a newly formed subsidiary.

The $32m deal widens the REIT's crop and geography exposure.