May 26, 2022

By Philippe de Lapérouse, Head, Consulting, HighQuest Partners 

Fourteen years ago, little did I anticipate that the increased focus on investing in global food and agriculture following the food price spikes in 2007 and the economic downturn in 2008 would today be driven by unprecedented threats and challenges that have converged within the past couple of years. These include  – unrelenting and volatile climate change; the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed weak links and capabilities in regional and global supply chains; and the current war in Ukraine launched by Russia, sparking threats to food security around the world in both developing and developed economies. Governments, corporations, investors, the media, and the general public are coming to the realization that the ability to produce, transport, and source agricultural commodities and foodstuffs can no longer be taken for granted, but have become issues of existential importance for civil society, and threaten the ability of nation states to ensure basic security and access to food for their citizenry. 

Understanding the dynamics that have evolved over decades to ensure an efficient global food and agricultural sector has always been a critical focus on HighQuest Partners’ advisory practice. The ability to analyze relationships across the value chain in order to develop and implement innovative strategies to address the challenges and opportunities facing food and agriculture has never been more critical as the risks and stakes today are substantially higher than they have ever been. At HighQuest Partners, we are prepared to help clients identify opportunities and meet challenges to ensure a more resilient and secure supply of crops and animal protein to meet global and regional nutritional and renewable energy needs. We welcome the opportunity to explore how we can assist corporate and financial investors operating in and allocating capital to global food and agriculture to develop and implement strategies that address the opportunities and challenges in the sector.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Phillippe de Lapérouse has more than 30 years of senior level experience working with leading global companies in the agro-industrial and value-added food chains, including Ralston Purina and Bunge North America, as well as working as an investment banker at the beginning of his career. At HighQuest, he has led over 60 engagements, advising investors globally across the food, biotech and bioenergy value chains on making informed decisions regarding resource allocation, new business opportunities and investment strategies to address food security challenges. Lapérouse is the author of the report, “Private Financial Sector Investment in Farmland and Agricultural Infrastructure” (2010) which was commissioned by OECD in 2010 to provide insights on this emerging asset class.

Lapérouse received his B.A degree from Trinity College and an M.B.A. degree from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. He is fluent in French, English and Spanish. You can reach Lapérouse at pdelaperouse@highquestpartners or +1.314.994.3282.