German authorities aim at improving biodiversity with an increased ecological area and gravel gardens ban

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 […]

Blueberry production in Ukraine on the rise

“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 […]

Update: International Agricultural Investment Opportunities

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 […]

USDA – 20/21 World Wheat looking more bearish

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 […]

GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY IN THE EUROPEAN HEMP MARKET

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 […]

Seed Corn Opportunities – Europe

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 […]

USDA 2020/21 WASDE CROP FORECAST

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 […]

Poland Crop Conditions

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 […]

SALIC’s Ukrainian Farmland Investment Begins Exporting to Saudi Arabia amidst a squeeze in food supply chains

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) […]

Poland Land Market

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 […]

MORATORIUM ON UKRAINIAN FARMLAND LIFTED

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 […]

LAND PRICE VARIABILITY BY REGION |ROMANIA

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 […]

ADDING VALUE THROUGH CONSOLIDATION (Romania)

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 […]

US with green light for growing hemp

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 […]

ROMANIAN LAND MARKET DEVELOPMENT

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 – […]

UKRAINE – A 2020 VISION

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.

Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) Australia acquire 200,000 ha business (+40,000 head Merino sheep flock) in W. Australia.

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 […]