Saudi's SALIC makes first agricultural investment in Australia with Nicoletti purchase

Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) has purchased Australia’s largest single parcel of broadacre agricultural land – the Nicoletti family’s 200,000ha portfolio. 

CBRE Agribusiness’ Danny Thomas, together with Damian Bryce of map19, managed the sale process for the Baladjie aggregation.

The transaction has received approval from Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). 

It comprises 76,000ha freehold cropping land and 134,000ha leasehold land in Western Australia’s eastern Wheatbelt region. 

The Baladjie aggregation is a large scale, fully operational sheep/wheat farming business accommodating a minimum sheep flock of 40,000 Merino Ewes, plus rams and progeny. It consists of John and Julie Nicoletti’s farming interest and other third-party options.

Mr Thomas said the sale represented an opportunity to acquire one of the largest farming operations in Australia and the nation’s largest single parcel of broadacre land. 

“The purchaser was drawn to the scale and quality of this property, with it providing an opportunity to expand their platform significantly with geographic spread and also execute on their investment strategies,” Mr Thomas said. 

SALIC also acquired a number of our neighbouring properties.

The aggregation, which is located between Merredin, Mukinbudin, Bullfinch and Southern Cross, also features structural improvements including more than 25 dwellings, 12 shearing sheds, machinery and storage. 

Nova Legal provided legal representation for the vendor throughout the process.