November 11, 2024

By Gerelyn Terzo, Global AgInvesting Media

While 2024 might be winding down, GAI Europe is just gearing up. Unfolding at the height of the holiday season, from Dec. 2-3, this year’s event will be held at the charming Landmark London, where attendees will gather to hear featured speakers and panelists discuss some of the industry’s most important ag themes and their social corollaries.

Over the course of two days, hundreds of ag industry participants including allocators, fund managers and industry executives will come together to connect, raise capital, negotiate deals and explore opportunities in this dynamic asset class. Among the topics featured throughout the conference will be natural capital, timberland, real assets and more. Here’s a glimpse into what you can expect on day one of this year’s highly anticipated event:

— StepStone Group Principal Ryan Ramsey, based in London, will kick things off with a session entitled: “Setting Expectations for Natural Capital: New Challenges and Opportunities for Institutional Investors.” Natural capital has been the topic du jour in 2024 as the investment stars align. As a theme, nature isn’t too far behind climate, and StepStone believes this market segment is poised to benefit from several tailwinds, making it a core ESG consideration and destination for institutional capital.

— Warakirri Asset Management Portfolio Manager of Diversified Agriculture Steve Jarrott will present a session on portfolio construction strategies for Australian agriculture – a session asset managers from far corners of the world won’t want to miss!

— Renaissance Capital and Premium Chicken Co. CFO Krešimir Steinbauer will lead a session called “European Poultry Production Opportunities at Scale,” a market where yields are high and prospects are promising. With yearly production of approximately 13.4 million tons, the EU is one of the biggest poultry meat producers on the planet and a net exporter of poultry products. In 2024, European poultry production and exports are forecast to grow 4 percent and 3 percent, respectively, year-over-year, a bullish trend that’s expected to spill over into 2025.

— Manulife Investment Management’s Thomas Sarno, global head of Timberland Investments, will lead a session called “Beyond Sustainable Management: Creating Additional Value in Timberland Investments.” Manulife’s Texas Forestry Association oversees nearly 500,000 acres of forest across 15 counties in the Lone Start State alone and over 284,000 acres of farmland in the United States. Demand for forestry assets is growing. Earlier this year, the U.K. government and Dutch development bank FMO earmarked $55 million for BTG Pactual TIG’s Latin American reforestation strategy.

Each night will be capped off by GAI’s customary networking reception and happy hour, respectively, where attendees can mix and mingle with their peers. With GAI Europe 2024 quickly approaching, be sure end the year right by securing your spot at the event here. There’s still time to join our sponsor lineup. We look forward to seeing you in London!

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