This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
ONE of Australia’s largest organic almond producers has hit the market, with the Keens family putting up for sale three adjoining mixed orchards south-east of Mildura after more than 40 years of ownership.
First established in the 1980s, the combined aggregation at Colignan spans 411 hectares with a total planted orchard area of more than 238 hectares comprising a mixture of almond (156 hectares), citrus (77 hectares) and avocado (5.3 hectares) plantings with more than 88 hectares suitable for orchard expansion.
The owners have also secured an increase in the property’s annual use limit. Paired with the existing irrigation in situ and the pumping infrastructure, the new owner could develop out the additional 88 hectares immediately.
The orchard has been well developed, with the Keens being one of the early adopters of organic and biodynamic farming techniques, beginning the transition to organic over 35 years ago.
Colliers agents Jesse Manuel, Tim Altschwager and Will Sumner are handling the expressions of interest campaign.
Manuel said the almonds could easily be converted to conventional farming as well.
Altschwager said the significant investment into irrigation infrastructure, specifically the three individual pump sites and mainlines from the River Murray provides operational efficiency and security across the portfolio.
Improvements to the property comprise six residences, one of which is utilised as an office as well as shedding infrastructure and almond storage pad. An inventory operational and harvest plant and equipment also form part of the deal.
The properties are available together and independently of each other.
