Real Assets

Jim Gasperoni, head of real assets at Aberdeen Asset Management, an investment manager with $402.9bn in assets under management, speaks to Agri Investor about the evolution of farmland investing and the institutionalisation of the asset class.

Sirius Minerals claims to have the world's largest polyhalite resource, from which it will make fertiliser to export out of the UK.

The firm has been increased its exposure to European timberland through a property in France, having snapped up several Finnish forests from UPM last year.

Australian farmland prices will continue to grow at a slower pace, while recent rain in parts of the country could affect water title values.

Farmland investment firm Homestead Capital fell $52m short of its target for its first fund last year, but has already surpassed its initial $350m target for Fund II.

Gina Rinehart's company Hancock would own 67% of Kidman in the deal, with Chinese real estate company Shanghai CRED taking 33%.

The appointment of Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board chairman by buyout firm Carlyle had raised concerns about conflicts of interest.

Townsend Group has been the investor's advisor since 2011.

The financing programme targets farm machinery upgrades and more energy efficient infrastructure.

UK property agency Strutt & Parker says that overall, prices are continuing the slow decline that began last year, but investor interest should bolster values from 2018.