Australia is one of the world’s main markets for institutional investment in both agricultural land and water – with the market for the latter holding a unique status globally. Naturally, foreign investors are attracted to the quality of the opportunities on offer.
On the land side, almost all types of agriculture investment are available, from broadacre cropping or irrigated permanent agriculture, to some the largest cattle stations on the planet. The country’s water market, meanwhile, which has ensured water is a regulated, tradable commodity separate from land, is the envy of others overseas.
Which country owns the most land in Australia?
Foreign investments is naturally a major component of the institutional capital flowing into Australian land and water, as our coverage of foreign ownership statistics since 2019 highlights.
LATEST AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN OWNERSHIP STATISTICS
Foreign ownership of Australian farmland: 2024 statistics
Foreign ownership of Australian agriculture has seen its first increase in two years as North American investors rapidly expand their holdings and the UK claims the top spot.
PREVIOUS STATISTICS
RELATED COVERAGE: INVESTMENT IN AUSTRALIAN WATER
Agriculture in the Murray-Darling Basin will need more than rain
While the Australian government accelerates its buyback of water for environmental purposes, a review of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan shifts the gaze onto adjacent areas primed for investment.
Year in review, 2025: Australian buybacks stimulate water-heavy strategies
A wave of major transactions from Duxton Water, Macquarie and GoFarm precede a review of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan that could have further implications for investors.
CEFC Nat Cap head says location of COP31 unimportant as Turkey takes hosting duties
Australian investors say COP30 has sharpened the global focus on natural capital, carbon markets and Pacific nations’ climate vulnerabilities.
Foreign ownership of Australian water: 2024 statistics
Canada remains the largest foreign holder of Australian water entitlements as total foreign water interests inch higher.
Inside Brighter Super’s opportunistic agriculture strategy
Superannuation fund Brighter Super may be committing more to agriculture than most of its peers, but chief investment officer Mark Rider says it is doing so on an opportunistic basis.
RELATED COVERAGE: INVESTMENT IN AUSTRALIAN FARMLAND
ANREV: Australian farmland finishes 2025 with a positive annualized return
Growth Farms CEO Martin Newnham says the volatility of returns in recent years demonstrates that agriculture is a long-term investment play.
Calculated approaches to agri management can withstand global shocks
Investors who have reduced their reliance on the farm inputs most sensitive to geopolitical clashes – or stockpiled these assets early – can navigate an easier way through the storm.
New Forests acquires macadamia orchards for Australasian landscapes fund
The Bunya Orchards acquisition clears the way for New Forests’ agriculture-focused subsidiary New Agriculture to pursue acquisitions for its debut fund once fundraising is complete.
Centuria fundraises for flagship vehicle, plans Arrow fund growth
Centuria’s head of agriculture says the recently acquired Arrow Primary Infrastructure Fund will provide the firm with diversified agricultural exposure while sharing a focus on controlled environment agriculture with the Centuria Agriculture Fund.
Cibus Capital puts A$150m almond portfolio on the block
With its Victoria and New South Wales orchards now mature, Cibus Capital is testing institutional appetite for its 1,000ha almond platform.
