ADM Capital’s Cibus Fund acquires major Australian almond operation

ADM Capital Europe LLP is pleased to announce that its Cibus Fund (“Cibus”) has acquired a high quality, fully mature almond orchard in Victoria, Australia. This transaction underlines the momentum of the Cibus Fund and the opportunity for value creation by investing in sustainable food-chain companies in select global markets. This orchard acquisition has a planted area in excess of 1,000 acres and is located in Australia’s prime horticultural district of Sunraysia. The mature orchard is expected to generate target production of approximately 1,400 metric tonnes of almonds per annum.

The transaction is the third made by ADM Capital’s Cibus Fund, following its investment into US based vertical farming business, Aerofarms and the acquisition of Spanish premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil producer, Innoliva last year. The Cibus Fund aims to take advantage of the significant investment opportunities presented by global demographic changes, shifting demand and trade patterns and, fundamentally, the inability of the world’s fastest growing economies to meet rapidly increasing regional demand for high-value foods, such as beef lamb, pork, fish and nuts, driven by burgeoning middle classes.

Rob Appleby, co-Chief Investment Officer, ADM Capital said: “We are delighted to announce the Cibus Fund’s acquisition of over 1,000 acres of fully productive almond orchard in Australia’s prime horticultural district. The Fund is focused on identifying global opportunities to create value from the mismatches between the supply and demand of high-value foods like almonds and this acquisition provides ongoing evidence in our ability to source and execute investments in this exciting arena.”

Commenting Frank Barillaro, Investment Director, ADM Capital said: “This is a high-quality acquisition for the Cibus Fund and reinforces our commitment to sustainable investing. Our acquisition aims to take advantage of Australia’s counter-cyclical almond production to the United States and offers a mature, high yielding asset that will deliver near term cash flows over a long duration investment. We look forward to working with the management team to further strengthen operations and facilitate delivery into the demand-led global growth opportunity for high-value almond production.”

ADM Capital was advised by Kains Lawyers and PWC.

ADM contact
cibusadmin@admcap.com