Drought

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.

Weight-loss drugs are changing eating habits in wealthy economies, say reports. But with population growth, rising emerging-market incomes and finite arable land, agriculture’s investment case is shifting – rather than shrinking – toward productivity and quality.

Canada remains the largest foreign holder of Australian water entitlements as total foreign water interests inch higher.

Lanna Agro Industry Co marks the 13th investment Proterra has made through the food and agribusiness-focused PAFF3.

The US may have an outsized influence on investment trends in the year ahead as Donald Trump casts his shadow over global conflicts, trade and climate issues.

With government water buybacks hanging over the market, investors have been striking early to secure entitlements before prices inevitably rise.

The emerging markets vehicle has received backing from Schroders, KfW, British International Investment and the Nordic Development Fund.

The ABARES annual conference was abuzz with talk of better trade relations and water markets trading, but don’t mention EU-style farm subsidies to Australian policy makers.

Water entitlement prices fell from all-time highs in February 2023 to near-A$0 in June, before recovering some ground, writes Aither's Ben Williams.

Levelling out farmland prices, higher interest rates and widespread drought present prospective buyers with plenty to consider.