Trend of vertical integration seen in agribusinesses

THE investment wave moving into agriculture has only just started.

The restructuring and consolidation in the industry also continues apace, with companies either looking to vertically integrate with a focus on production or divesting to gain capital, said Michael Whitehead, director of agribusiness research at ANZ Insights, in an interview with The Business Times.

His comments come in the wake of news that Noble Group is considering a joint venture with a consortium including China's largest grains trader, Cofco Corp.