Permanent Crops

The financial services firm is aiming to build a loan book worth more than A$1bn over the next five years.

The ANREV Australian Farmland Index recorded its lowest annualized return to date as returns fell below zero for the first time.

The firm had wanted an olive oil business in its portfolio since 2017 but could never find an asset with the right combination of attributes until last year’s acquisition.

The company is a grower and packer of conventional and organic fresh produce such as potatoes, herbs and citrus fruits.

The Canadian asset manager seeks to combine global opportunities with local partnerships as it builds a diversified portfolio, having built a large portfolio in Western Australia.

The firm’s Regenerate European Sustainable Agriculture Fund received a €150m commitment from M&G Investment’s Catalyst strategy in 2023.

The Australian wine company expects the recapitalization to bolster its growth in a market that has proven challenging in recent years.

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.

With a string of big deals in Australia and elsewhere, Canadian investors continued to flex their muscles and demonstrate their commitment to the asset class in 2023.

The Canadian fund will merge Montague with its existing subsidiary Pomona Valley, which is managed by its Australian agriculture arm AustOn.