This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE Evergreen Farms horticultural operation in Central Queensland is being offered to the market with hopes of fetching $70 million.
At 5,077 hectares it is one of the biggest of its type in the country.
CBRE’s Danny Thomas, Geoff Warriner, Chris Holgar and Thomas Warriner are marketing the property.
Located in Emerald, Evergreen Farms is a major supplier of Menindee Seedless, Flame Seedless and Crimson Seedless table grapes to several wholesale agents that supply supermarkets including Coles, Woolworths, ALDI and IGA, as well as fresh food markets in all capital cities.
The site covers two adjoining properties and features 403 hectares planted to table grapes, 29 hectares planted to lychees, 353 hectares developed and ready for planting to potential uses including edible nuts, grapes, avocado, citrus and berries, and dryland and irrigated farming areas. There is also a flood margin licence to occupy 1,230 hectares adjacent to Fairbairn Dam.
Thomas said the property represented an attractive opportunity to capitalise on Australia’s strengthening agricultural market.
“Australia’s fresh produce and grain industry is positioned for significant growth over the coming years, with Asian demand for safe, nutritious and fresh food continuing to increase,” he said. “The recent free trade deals with China, South Korea, Japan and the ASEAN countries will further facilitate increased demand in this sector,”
Evergreen Farms was established in 1999 after the vendor purchased a farm next to the Fairbairn Dam, and Pacific Century Group has since invested more than $100 million to transform the former cattle grazing block into an agricultural hub.
The property also generates revenue from cattle fattening and agistment, as well as water trading, which involves buying and selling water allocations.
Warriner said the sale represented an excellent opportunity to gain a presence in Australia’s agricultural industry.
“Evergreen Farms presents an attractive opportunity for industry participants, new and old, to enter or further expand into the agricultural sector. This property offers scale and diversity, with guaranteed highly secure water supply,” he concluded.
Australian Property Journala
