The megatrend of healthy eating in Western countries is adding to the appeal of agricultural investments, and LGIAsuper is seeking to capitalise on its growth by adding to its growing portfolio in the asset class.
In an effort to diversify, the super fund committed to Folium Capital’s agriculture and timber funds, which included assets in Australia, Brazil, California, Chile, Iberia and Panama.
“The depth of the agriculture sector right now reflects several trends, including consumer interest in healthy food, borrowing food ideas from other cultures, and year-round demand for seasonal produce,” LGIAsuper head of investments, Guy Rundle, said.
In addition to offering diversification, Rundle hoped that the investment would also help grow members’ balances, as it built on an agricultural portfolio designed to capitalise on the sector’s growth. The fund had also invested in The Houweling Group, a leading North American greenhouse vegetable grower, propagator and marketer, and the Central Queensland Livestock Exchange.
Folium Capital managing partner, Alvaro Aguirre, said that while the firm’s latest agriculture and timber funds were still in their early stages, he expected their future returns to be attractive.
While not having a strategic asset allocation might be ‘uncomfortable’ for some investors, the Future Fund believes its unique investment approach helps the fund capture long-term value ahead of the curve.
The sovereign wealth fund grew $11.5 billion in the March quarter, according to its latest portfolio update, having previously voiced caution about inflation’s downward trajectory.
The property group, owned by industry super fund Aware Super, has announced two new projects with a total construction value of $320 million that will add more than 700 homes to Melbourne’s rental market.
While institutional investors, including super funds, unanimously acknowledge the energy transition as a significant challenge, their perspectives on the extent of their involvement in addressing the substantial capital requirements vary widely.
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