Food Processing

Agri Investor looks ahead to the topics that are likely to dominate the conversation in ag next year.

The 2019 Agri Investor Forum in Chicago was marked by a clear sense of momentum even if an overall direction for the market seemed harder to discern.

Panelists at the Agri Investor Chicago Forum likened the plant protein surge to that of the e-commerce boom, which ultimately transformed the way goods and services are purchased.

Ascendant Partners’ Mark Warren says growing consumer demand and product innovation helped bring strategic and financial investor interest in the Organic Ventures’ unit offering grains like quinoa, durum and spelt.

Managing partner Rich Gammill’s first-hand account describes the march of a disease that caught out China’s farmers and central government, and left a global supply gap that will impact all protein trade flows.

ILTA engaged Origin Merchant Partners in March 2019 to solicit interest for a sale of, or investment in, all or part of its assets.

Businesses and properties associated with food production and distribution attract growing interest from private equity funds, real estate investors and more traditional agri investors.

This year’s conference saw more LPs than ever before, as agriculture continues to grow as an asset class.

Agri-Vie Fund II falls just short of $150m target but EXEO managing partner Herman Marais says food and agri remains a ‘logical entry point’ for long-term investors who want exposure to Africa.

Managing director Daniel Masters says PE has invested less in the supply chain for premium pet food ingredients.