Values

Figures released by Meat and Livestock Australia last month recorded a surprise jump in live cattle exports to Vietnam.

Plantings of semi-annual commodities such as corn, rice, sorghum and soybean fell as producers struggled with strong currency and falling commodities.

Recently falling food prices are not here to stay, according to Jane Harrigan, Professor of Economics at SOAS. But food-importing countries should be careful with their food security strategies.

The USDA’s Economic Research Services is predicting farm profitability will fall by 32% on 2014, although farm wealth will stay at record levels.

As northern Australia recovers from years of hardship, there may be opportunities for investors.

The US-focused farmland investment firm says its returns outstrip NCREIF values, but expects them to remain near current levels.

The institutional fund manager raised $33.9m from the sale of forest properties in Georgia and Pennslyvania from Timbervest Partners I.

A survey conducted by the School of Agriculture and Resource Economics at the University of Western Australia revealed that Western Australian farmers are supportive of foreign investment as a means to bring capital into the region.

Falling oil prices will feed into food prices, according to Rabobank. This should push agri managers into niche agri products, argues Emma Cowan, an agribusiness consultant.

Timberland assets are approaching the return levels of property assets in the US, according to The National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries.