Food Processing

For better or worse, Oaktree’s entry into Moldovan agribusiness Trans-Oil has brought the firm into the ideological battle underlying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Tenacious Ventures will build on the A$35m close of its first fund, which surpassed its target and raised capital from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, among others.

The Premium Food Fund has made five investments to date and is 40% committed, with another two or three deals over the next two years set to take it to full deployment.

Efforts to route some Ukrainian agricultural exports through Romania’s port of Constanta could transform the country’s role in global ag markets.

Managing director Mike LeSage says last month’s deal with Northwest Farms reflects the key role of cage-free egg production within the firm’s Sustainable Agriculture Fund strategy.

Cascadia MD George Sent says Pacific Farms drew interest from private equity investors attracted to its role in provision of imported Chinese garlic to the US.

The Teachers Retirement System of Illinois is among the investors in a junior debt-focused vehicle, which a source tells Agri Investor is seeking $500m.

Principal Jean-Philippe Syed says European retailers including Carrefour, Lidl and Aldi established multi-year relationships with North African producers following covid-19-related supply disruption last year.

Executive director Gil Adotevi describes how ADQ is supporting production of crops in Abu Dhabi and the role it is carving out in global supply chains.

At least five parties have reportedly expressed interest in assets that include a soybean processing facility, an ancient grains unit and storage facilities devoted to organic and non-GMO supply.