Arabs buy 200.000 hectares in Australia

One of the largest grain farmers in Australia has sold his 200.000 hectare business to a group of Arabs. This deal is worth approximately €40 million. It means that the Arabs are buying a large area again, although this is the first time in Australia.

John Nicoletti has his mega arable farm sold in Australia. It concerns 200.000 hectares of land, including 40.000 sheep. The entrepreneur is selling the farm and will focus entirely on his dealership for John Deere. The buyer of the company is SALIC, an investment company from Saudi Arabia. This company buys up farms worldwide in order to guarantee food security in Saudi Arabia.

Closed market
This acquisition is one of the largest land deals in Australia ever. It is striking, however, that the arable farm has been bought by investors from outside Australia. The country is mainly known for the fact that it is (very) difficult for foreigners to purchase land.

Arabs investing in recent years much in agricultural land, so they hope to be less dependent on food from other countries. After several purchases in Africa, Latin America and Europe, it seems it is now Australia's turn.

Anne-Jan Doorn

Anne Jan Doorn is an arable expert at Boerenbusiness. He writes about the various arable farming markets and also focuses on the land and energy market.

aj.doorn@boerenbusiness. Nl

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