Europe

Founded by France’s grain growers to promote their sub-sector, the firm remains something of a unique beast – for now.

More emerging markets are likely to follow the US’s intent to ‘re-double’ efforts to develop the technology than Europe’s stringent regulatory stance unveiled last week, says Pontifax’s Ben Belldegrun.

The French group will acquire a rare majority stake in Mecatherm for €120m in a bid to internationalize and strengthen its control over the grain value chain.

Brad Riemenapp, chief executive of newly rebranded FoodChain ID, tells Agri Investor he expects the company will have doubled in size by the end of his first full year.

IDeA Agro has raised around 80% of its €100m target from a clutch of institutional investors. MD Gianandrea Perco tells Agri Investor why he thinks a successor fund could be much bigger.

Brad Riemenapp, chief executive of Global ID, calls the region a priority growth market as the Iowa headquartered company expands its international footprint.

Peter Berwerger, already a member of Paine’s Portfolio Excellence Platform, has assumed the role of chief executive at AgBiTech after having held the same role with Paine’ irrigation company.

A large majority of producers already have trouble hiring seasonal workers and expect price hikes to kick in soon, according to a report by the sector’s industry body.

Andromeda and Mubadala have secured majority stakes in Nireus Aquaculture and Selonda Aquaculture from a consortium of Greek banks.

The firm is one or two LPs away from being able to close the vehicle, investment director Darius Sarshar tells Agri Investor. We zoom in on the fund’s investor base, strategy and expected returns.