Key Trends
Over the last decade, the share of private sector investment in food and agribusiness has grown relative to public sector investment. In 2010, 62% of assets under management (AuM) were represented by public strategies, while in 2017 this has fallen to only 11%.
Agriculture has a huge responsibility to feed the growing global population, however the task is challenging due to depleting resources and limited area of productive or arable land. In line with the challenges faced by investors, some key trends are emerging, including:
- Continued growth across farmland investments and private equity;
- Increasing prominence of venture capital and private debt investment;
- A surge in innovation driven investment decisions; and
- More focus on value-add endeavours.
Major aspects driving these trends include:
- Growth in demand for food; and
- Increasingly urgent need to produce more efficiently and sustainably.
Historically, public investment funds prevailed due to the risky nature of agri-food investment, however a shift from public strategies to private strategies is apparent.
There is a growing prevalence of private equity funds, as well as niche investments such as venture capital in ag-tech and even private debt. These trends signal an evolving shift towards more innovative and value-add investment strategies.
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Malachy Mitchell is co-founder and Managing Director of Farrelly & Mitchell. He works with CEOs, executives and leaders from private enterprises and public sector institutions helping to grow their food sector companies and agribusinesses.
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Key Trends in Global Agri-Food Investment
The Agri-food value chain offers a growing number of attractive investment opportunities, driven by some compelling global trends. Since 2005 the number of funds operating in the sector has exploded by over 1000%, managing over $70 Billion in aggregate ….

Key Trends
Over the last decade, the share of private sector investment in food and agribusiness has grown relative to public sector investment. In 2010, 62% of assets under management (AuM) were represented by public strategies, while in 2017 this has fallen to only 11%.
Agriculture has a huge responsibility to feed the growing global population, however the task is challenging due to depleting resources and limited area of productive or arable land. In line with the challenges faced by investors, some key trends are emerging, including:
- Continued growth across farmland investments and private equity;
- Increasing prominence of venture capital and private debt investment;
- A surge in innovation driven investment decisions; and
- More focus on value-add endeavours.
Major aspects driving these trends include:
- Growth in demand for food; and
- Increasingly urgent need to produce more efficiently and sustainably.
Historically, public investment funds prevailed due to the risky nature of agri-food investment, however a shift from public strategies to private strategies is apparent.
There is a growing prevalence of private equity funds, as well as niche investments such as venture capital in ag-tech and even private debt. These trends signal an evolving shift towards more innovative and value-add investment strategies.
To download the full insight, click here

Malachy Mitchell is co-founder and Managing Director of Farrelly & Mitchell. He works with CEOs, executives and leaders from private enterprises and public sector institutions helping to grow their food sector companies and agribusinesses.
Subcribe today
Stay up to date with the latest agribusiness blog, Insights, and more sent straight to your inbox.
Malachy Mitchell's featured publications
Government & multilaterals
TAG food management targets profitable growth in local food & beverage
Food safety & security
The cost of living crisis: Inflation, price caps and the road to food security
Insect protein, how can companies overcome the ‘yuck’ factor?
Insect protein, how can companies overcome the ‘yuck’ factor?
Food & beverage
The rise of agriculture as an institutional asset class
Food safety & security
BBC report draws on Farrelly & Mitchell analysis of COVID-19 impact in Arab nations
Food safety & security
Supply chains & food security: assessing the impact of disruptive forces
Food safety & security
Farrelly & Mitchell analysis: Lebanon explosion exposes lack of food security plan
Is Covid-19 accelerating ESG investment in food and agribusiness?
Is Covid-19 accelerating ESG investment in food and agribusiness?
Government & multilaterals
TAG food management targets profitable growth in local food & beverage
Food safety & security
The cost of living crisis: Inflation, price caps and the road to food security
Insect protein, how can companies overcome the ‘yuck’ factor?
Insect protein, how can companies overcome the ‘yuck’ factor?
Food & beverage
The rise of agriculture as an institutional asset class
Food safety & security
BBC report draws on Farrelly & Mitchell analysis of COVID-19 impact in Arab nations
Food safety & security
Supply chains & food security: assessing the impact of disruptive forces
Food safety & security
Farrelly & Mitchell analysis: Lebanon explosion exposes lack of food security plan
Is Covid-19 accelerating ESG investment in food and agribusiness?
Is Covid-19 accelerating ESG investment in food and agribusiness?
Government & multilaterals