Properties ripe for picking

A RARE opportunity to buy a substantial portfolio of mixed orchards has come up at Colignan.

The three adjoining properties have a combined aggregation of 411 hectares, including a total planted orchard area of more than 238ha comprising almond, citrus and avocado.

Since it was first established in the 1980s, the orchard has been well developed, having adopted organic and biodynamic farming techniques.

Colliers national director Jesse Manuel said the almond planting carried Australian Certified Organic certification, while the citrus and avocado plantings were grown conventionally.

“The owners were early adopters of organic farming practices, having begun the transition process to organic 35 years ago,” Mr Manuel said.

“Today, the orchard is the largest producer of organic almonds in the country.

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

Significant investment had been made into irrigation infrastructure, including three individual pump sites and mainlines from the Murray River.

Colliers agent Will Sumner said the owners had secured an increase in the property’s annual use limit.

“So, 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 could develop out the additional 88 hectares straight away,” he said.

There are six residencies across the property, including what has been used as an office, as well as shedding and an almond storage pad.

Operational and harvest plant and equipment were also to form part of the deal.

The assets were being offered for sale by expressions of interest.

For further information, contact Jesse Manuel on 0421 550 242, Tim Altschwager on 0408 814 699, or Will Sumner on 0488 942 111.