Victorian family to sell renowned almond orchards

After more than 40 years of development, a Sunraysia family is selling its 410ha almond, citrus and avocado orchards.

More than 40 years of clean and green horticultural development has underpinned the Keens family’s Manna Farms, an operation regarded as the largest producer of organic almonds in Australia.

First established in the 1980s, Manna Farms spans four properties and more than 500 hectares in Victoria’s Sunraysia region at Colignan, about 50km south of Mildura.

The Keens family has decided to retain their home property, while seeking to divest a 411ha portfolio of three properties, with orchards planted to 238ha.

Across the portfolio there is a mixture of almond (156ha), citrus (77ha) and avocado (5.3ha) plantings, with more than 88ha also suitable for further orchard expansion.

Manna Farms was one of the early adopters of organic and biodynamic farming techniques, with the almond orchard first certified in 1989 by Ian Keens, who retired and passed the reins to his sons, fourth generation David and Rob, around 2011, while their citrus and avocado plantings are grown conventionally.

Ian and David Keens of Manna Farms are selling a 411ha portfolio of three properties, with orchards planted to 238ha near Colignan. Picture: File.

COLIGNAN

MANNA FARMS

Property: horticulture

Size: 411ha

Sale: expressions of interest

Price: $60,000 a hectare of planted area, plus the value of the vacant land and improvements

Agent: Colliers

Contact: Jesse Manuel, 0421 550 242, Tim Altschwager, 0408 814 699 and Will Sumner, 0488 942 111

Manna Farms is regarded as the largest producer of organic almonds in Australia.

Colliers selling agents Jesse Manuel, Tim Altschwager and Will Sumner are handling the sale of the Manna Farms property, expecting interest from $60,000 a hectare of planted area, plus the value of the vacant land and improvements.

“The owners were early adopters of organic farming practices, having begun the transition process to organic 35 years ago. Today, the orchard is the largest producer of organic almonds in the country,” Colliers’ national director Jesse Manuel said.

“The almonds could easily be converted to conventional farming as well.

“We are expecting interest from institutional investors with existing holdings looking to expand, horticultural operators in the Riverina looking for climatic diversity, and family growers looking to add to their enterprises.”

The Keens family have developed Manna Farms over the past 40 years.

“The owners have also secured an increase in the property’s Annual Use Limit. When you pair that with the existing irrigation in situ and with the pumping infrastructure which has the capacity to service additional plantings, the new owner(s) could develop the additional 88ha straight away” said Colliers selling agent Will Sumner.

Offered for sale via expressions of interest, existing improvements to the property comprise six residences, one of which is used as an office as well as shedding infrastructure and almond storage pad.

An inventory operational and harvest plant and equipment will also form part of the deal.