Timberland and Farmland: headed for the mainstream?

An Introduction to Timberland and Farmland: the growing asset classes

Over the past 30 years, the Farmland and Timberland asset classes have grown from niche investments to something approaching mainstream alternative asset class status. Both asset classes exhibit stable cash flows and favourable diversification qualities, while their status as a "real asset" is attractive to investors at a time of rising inflation.

These white papers on Timberland and Farmland cover a number of issues: (i) What are the characteristics of Timberland and Farmland as an alternative asset class? (ii) What is the history of investment in these assets? (iii) What are the sustainability and ESG issues at the heart of the agriculture and timber industries? and (iv) How can investors gain exposure?

Timberland and Farmland within a Mixed Asset Portfolio (Manulife AM, 2019)

For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in the EMEA region

This article by Manulife Asset Management provides a comparison of the risk-return profile of a combined timberland/farmland investment to commercial real estate and financial assets.

Upcoming Urbanites: Urbanization drives major economic shifts (Nuveen, Apr 2019)

Nuveen describes alternative investment opportunities in agriculture, infrastructure, impact investing, and real estate that have arisen as a result of mass urbanization.

Agriculture in the low-carbon era: Why we can’t wait (Hermes IM, 2018)

For compliance reasons, this paper is NOT accessible in the United States

Hermes Investment Management discusses the future-proofing of the global agriculture industry, which may involve processes like micro irrigation, precision agriculture, agroecology, and dietary changes.

Farmland Investments and the U.S.-China Trade War (Manulife AM, Feb 2019)

For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in the EMEA region

Manulife Asset Management describes the specific implications of the US-China trade war for farmland investors, including the need to potentially diversify their exposures to particular geographies, crop types, and global export markets.

History of Institutional Farmland Investment (Global AgInvesting, 2017)

This paper examines the farmland industry’s history in detail asking the 'pioneers' of institutional farmland investing to share the lessons they’ve learned over the years.

Sector in Brief: Agriculture and Timberland (bfinance, Nov 2017)

While Timberland is a relatively well-established sector, the past three years have seen a distinctive new group of non-timber agriculture funds coming onto the scene. This note tackles structures, fees, opportunity types and risks.

Timberland and Agriculture: A Primer (Frontier Advisors, 2017)

This report by Frontier Advisors provides an overview of both the timberland and agricultural asset classes from an institutional investor's perspective.

Timberland Sustainability Report 2018 (TIAA)

This 17-page report uses the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment Farmland guidelines to create 16 key performance indicators (KPIs) specifically for timber.

Farmland Sustainability Report (July 2018, TIAA)

This report by TIAA sets out customized KPIs that track the firm's performance across crops and regions.

The Implications of Brexit for Global Agricultural Reform (Chatham House, 2017)

Chatham House unveils the four potential paths for agricultural policy that relate to nearly every possible Brexit outcome.

The Belt and Road Initiative: Chinese agribusiness going global (GRAIN, 2019)

How far-reaching and impactful are the various agricultural projects that are encompassed within China's Belt and Road Initiative?

AMIS Monthly Agriculture Market Monitor

From Agricultural Market Information System, a monthly report on soft commodity markets. This is the latest in a regular series of monthly reports.

2018 Agtech Investment Review (Pitchbook/Finistere Ventures)

This review looks at venture financing trends in the agtech industry, including an analysis of sub-sector trends. It also highlights certain agtech opportunities in Latin America.

Natural Resources: An introduction (Meketa Investment Group, 2018)

Meketa Investment Group provides an introduction to the return behavior of natural resources investments. Their primary focus in this paper is on private natural resources investments.

2018 Early-Stage Agtech Report (Finistere Ventures)

The agtech sector has grown tremendously over the past decade. This report discusses financing activity and other metrics for the agtech sector.

OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2018-2027

The Agricultural Outlook 2018-2027 provides an assessment of the prospects for agricultural and fish commodity markets at national, regional and global levels over a medium-term time horizon.