Australian Wine Seeing Record Growth in China, UK
In the 12 months to the end of March 2015, Australia’s wine market in China saw 20% growth, reaching a value of A$242 million (US$189 million) with China remaining the top destination for Australian premium wines, according to a recent report by the Australian Grape and Wine Authority (AGWA). Bulk wine exports increased an impressive 77%
Read moreNCREIF Farmland Index Returns 2.08% in the First Quarter
The National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries (NCREIF) Farmland Index which consists of 603 investment grade farm properties, including 393 row crop properties and 210 permanent crop properties, posted total returns for both permanent and row cropland for the first quarter of 2015 of 2.08% - comprised of 1.26% returns on appreciat
Read moreAg Investors Address Portfolio Diversification at Annual Event
By Sarah Day Levesque Diversification strategies are key to reducing risk and maximizing potential returns in an agriculture investment portfolio, according to a group of investment veterans at Global AgInvesting 2015. The group, which included, John Duryea of Blue Road Capital, David Gladstone of Gladstone Land Corporation, Charl
Read moreWestern Growers to Make Major Investment in Technology
Western Growers (WG) and venture capital group, Silicon Valley Global Partners (SVG) have formed an exclusive partnership created for the acceleration of developments in agricultural technology. The partnership will promote and invest in select agricultural technologies, and will also work together on the establishment of innovation centers
Read moreBrazil’s Farmers Push for Reversal of Foreign Purchase Ban
In 2010, at the urging of the country’s farmers, Brazil adopted restrictions on foreign ownership of agricultural land in response to record-high global commodity prices, and China and Saudi Arabia seeking large overseas land acquisitions for agricultural production to meet domestic demand, and the sourcing of iron and precious metals. Th
Read moreSouth Korea Investing $500 Million to Become Food Industry Hub in Northeast Asia
Following the example of The Netherlands, home to a mega food industry hub called Food Valley that generates $64 billion annually, South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is investing $500 million to build a mega food industry complex on a site just under one square mile, designed to attract global food businesses looki
Read moreThree Trends Plowing Ahead in Chinese Agriculture
For the past 30 years, agriculture in China has been framed by stern ideals concerning self-sufficiency, and has been driven by goals of modernization and commercialization. But moving into the second quarter of 2015, there are underlying agricultural trends occurring in the country that could have implications on and provide opportunities for
Read moreFAO Makes Historical 15% Upward Revision of China Corn Stocks
In its latest world supply and inventory estimates report, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) made a historical upward adjustment to China’s corn stocks for the years between 2004 and 2009, resulting in a 15% increase to its estimate for the country’s corn inventory for 2014/15 to 95.4 million tons. This significant adjustme
Read moreChinese Moonshine, Hogs, and Drought Fuel Sorghum Boom on Plains
Native to Africa, Sorghum is heartily resistant to drought, cheap to plant (costing $142 per acre including seed, fertilizer, and chemicals, compared to $350.33 per acre for corn and $187.07 for soybeans), and in high demand in China where it is not subject to quotas as is corn or soybeans, is commonly used to make a whiskey-like liquor called
Read moreAsiaÍs Middle Class Changing Demand for Wheat Grain Exports
Asia’s growing middle class, and the changing tastes and diets that accompany the higher incomes, are causing a jump in demand for wheat-based foods on the market. By 2030 two thirds of the global middle class, or 3.3 billion people will be living in Asia, and recent analysis indicates that in the coming years, demand for wheat-based food
Read more
