This is the fourth and final article where Brown & Co explore the market opportunities around permant crops. Brown & Co are witnessing increasing investor interest around permanent crop options – which is partly being driven by portfolio reviews as a result of the COVID-19 impact on markets worldwide. With the correct research, due diligence, […]
This is the third of four articles where Brown & Co explore the market opportunities around permant crops. Brown & Co are witnessing increasing investor interest around permanent crop options – which is partly being driven by portfolio reviews as a result of the COVID-19 impact on markets worldwide. With the correct research, due diligence, […]
This is the second of four articles where Brown & Co explore the market opportunities around permant crops. Brown & Co are witnessing increasing investor interest around permanent crop options – which is partly being driven by portfolio reviews as a result of the COVID-19 impact on markets worldwide. With the correct research, due diligence, […]
Brown & Co are witnessing increasing investor interest around permanent crop options – which is partly being driven by portfolio reviews as a result of the COVID-19 impact on markets worldwide. Instead of being planted, grown and harvested annually, permanent crops can be generally characterized as “perennials” – crops with a life cycle of many […]
Rapeseed yields, in the EU are predicted to be 3.8% down on the five year average but slightly above (2.4%) 2019 harvest. Hungary has witnessed particularly heavy rainstorms which has delayed ripening and caused harvest losses. Hungary is forecast to produce 2.59t/ha – a 16% decrease on its five year average. The EU is anticipated […]
New law was passed locally in Baden-Württemberg state on Wednesday highlighting the focus on environment preservation goals. The law comprises restrictions such as: Increase of organic area by 40-50% by 2030 Reduction of pesticide usage by 40-50% by 2030 Orchard Preservation Establishing biotopye networks of 15% of land area Ban of gravel gardens The solutions […]
Overall early estimates slightly lower than previous forecasts, but no disasters. In many places yields down on last year. Russia seeing serious variability but high protein wheat being cut with little being sold off farm. French soft wheat is looking like 15-20% down compared to last year, barley 10% down vs. last year. Romania is […]
“Ukraine is now China’s top Frozen Blueberry Supplier as the market Expands” (Produce Report) The fastest growing segment of Ukraine’s fruit and vegetable sector is blueberry production. According to East Fruit, Ukraine now has at least 700 hectares of new blueberry plantations, equating to a 44% increase in recent years. It is expected that exports […]
While food and agriculture accounts for a relatively small proportion of AUM (9% excluding outliers), it is the most common sector for investment, with 57% of respondents having some allocation and the highest proportion of respondents (54%) planning to increase their allocations over the next five years – Global Impact Investor Network, 2020 According to […]
Where there are challenges, there are also opportunities Introduction With many investors now in the process of reviewing strategies and, in some cases considering alternative, non correlated asset classes, Brown & Co are offering an update on current markets, starting with developed markets of the U.S. and progressing through parts of Europe, going through South […]
The USDA has published its latest outlook which sees world wheat production increase by a sharp 5.7 mmt plus a slight increase in opening stocks. India production has increased by 4.9 mmt and Australia is up 2.0 mmt – both based on government statistics. Turkey and China are both up by 1.0 mmt and these […]
The EU has an increasingly active hemp market with production in Romania, France, Lithuania and the Netherlands. Production has increased by more than 50% since 2016 with the seed and fibre used in an increasing range of construction material, animal bedding, furniture, textiles and the pulp and paper industry. Hemp is also an excellent source […]
Despite rain over the last two weeks, Eastern Europe will see a production impact from drought this season. Draught has caused some significant damage to arable crops in Ukraine. There are areas where crops have dried up already and it has most affected winter crops. The table below presents total drought damaged area by crop […]
For some business’ in Central Europe – an interesting opportunity exists to add value to existing Corn crops, via cooperating with a seed house in order to produce registered certified seed corn. With corn forming an important part of rotations across Europe, many business’ have long term experience of growing both irrigated and non irrigated […]
The USDA published their latest 2020/21 WASDE crop forecasts this week and here are the highlights: World corn production is forecast at a record high with the largest increases in the U.S., Brazil, Ukraine, Mexico and Canada. U.S. corn crop is projected at a record 16.0 billion bushels, a 17% increase on 19/20 estimates. Feed […]
Before COVID-19 lockdown farmers in Europe employed hundreds of thousands fo migrant workers from East and Central Europe. Ukrainians, Romanians and Belarusians eagerly joined the workforce abroad because of three to five times higher salaries. With the perspective of fresh fruit, vegetables and berries season start Ukrainian workers queue to receive working visas. Many countries […]
TEST FOR FOOD NETWORK „This capitalist miracle reflects not a monolithic plan, but an $8trn global supply chain adapting to a new reality, with millions of firms making spontaneous decisions, from switching rice suppliers in Asia to refitting freezers. The system is far from perfect: as incomes collapse, more people are going hungry. There are […]
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As Covid-19 continues to dominate the headlines large areas of Eastern Europe face another issue, drought. On April 22nd the Polish Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) has warned that Poland could face a severe drought this season – Predicted as the worst drought in a century. Poland has faced difficult and unstable weather […]
With food security of increasing concern globally – the Russian Government have decided to impose a quota on certain grains exports of 7MMT. The quota is to be in place from April 1-June 30, 2020 (marking the end of the current marketing year for grain) and has already been fulfilled – surprising the market as […]
SAGO, Saudi Arabia’s state grain buyer, has purchased 60,000 tonnes of Ukraine wheat from the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC). Formed in 2011 SALIC has invested into farmland globally in order to produce and secure food for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). SALIC is 100% owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) […]
Land values in Poland have strengthened slightly in the last 12 month period indicating a 5% appreciation. Growth has slowed in recent years as the market continues to mature. Domestic/local demand for farmland continues to drive values maintaining an active farmland market – despite the restrictions on the market imposed by government. Marginal increases are […]
Agronomy Growing a crop of hazelnuts is not without its challenges, both from an agronomic and financial perspective. Locating the correct site is key to success, soil pH of 6.5-7.5 is preferred and trees thrive on well-drained loams with high organic matter. It is recommended to have at least four varieties allowing for cross pollination, […]
On March 31, Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada adopted a law legalizing the trade of agricultural land, ending a 20-year moratorium. The law will come into effect on July 1, 2021. The law is one of the requirements for Ukraine to receive aid from the International Monetary Fund, without which Ukraine will face significant difficulties in managing […]
Overview Global hazelnut production trends show a steady increase over the last 25 year period, between 1995 to 2018 global production rose by 27%. World hazelnut production shows fluctuations depending on the climatic conditions from year to year. A prime example of weather effects can be seen in 2014 when global Hazelnut prices increased by […]
Due to the current situation regarding Coronavirus COVID-19 Brown & Co have postponed the Romania investment tour planned for spring 2020. We will be in contact with individuals who expressed interest in this to arrange a new date as conditions and travel allows.
The western regions, typically Timisoira tend to represent the highest value regional market. This is for a num ber of reasons. Historically the west was always more developed from a land book and registration perspective and attracted most foreign investment in the early and mid 1990’s. The south and eastern regions have subsequently been catching […]
Brown & Co have recently carried out research into the latest land market values. In order to sell land in Romania the vendor must publicise the sale of land, stating all the relevant terms, at the City Hall and on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development […]
USDA introduced Hemp Production Program opening the door for american farmers to grow hemp. “At USDA, we are always excited when there are new economic opportunities for our farmers, and we hope the ability to grow hemp will pave the way for new products and markets,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “We have […]
Romania is continuing to attract international investment in the agri sector. Whilst there are a number of challenges – economic for 2019 is strong at around 4% real GDP growth which together with Total Factor Productivity gains – is driving agricultural returns and therefore the land market. Following the end of communism in 1989 – […]
Ukrainian lawmakers have passed a bill lifting the ban on buying and selling farmland. The ban or moratorium on land sales has been in place since 2001 and effectively prevents the purchase or sale of land or its utilization as collateral to attract investment into the rural sector. If passed it will introduce a land […]
Ukraine, often referred to as the “bread basket of Europe” has the largest stock of agricultural land in Europe comprising 42 million hectares, yet the current ban on the trading of freehold agricultural property in the country, to both Ukrainian and foreign nationals, is stifling growth and investment in the country.
SALIC announces the acquisition of Baladjie Pty Ltd on March 28th, 2019 SALIC Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SALIC KSA. It is the first investment in the country of Australia. Matthew Jansen, SALIC KSA CEO, said: “The acquisition of Baladjie is an important step for SALIC as we continue to build our global footprint […]