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Agribusiness M&A Trends: Fall 2021

Published November 17, 2021

Home > M&A Trends > Agribusiness M&A Trends: Fall 2021

Key Insights

  • Agribusiness M&A surges in 2021 with M&A volume up 86% year over year
  • Supply chain cost pressures and disruptions are wreaking havoc
  • Meridian Capital expects to be the leading agribusiness M&A advisor in 2021

Highlights

Agribusiness M&A continues at a surging and record setting pace. Interest from buyers and investors in agribusiness companies varies by subsegment, but broader interest and thematic trends include:

  • Size and scale of the industry
  • Fragmentation in the industry
  • Aging ownership of agribusiness companies
  • The industry proposes a natural inflation hedge
  • Resilience through recessions
  • Increased automation in the agribusiness supply chain
  • The economic benefits of helping agribusiness companies scale more quickly through added investment

Much of the agribusiness sector has been roiled in 2021 with rapidly increasing input prices and logistical disruptions to the industry’s supply chain. Providers in the industry also site rapidly rising wages, approaching double digit increases in some markets. In reaction, agribusiness companies have made swift and decisive technology and automation improvements. Meridian Capital expects 2021 to be a banner year for its agribusiness M&A clients, with closed transactions and transactions under LOI nearing $1 billion in total value.

View the Report

Agribusiness Market Insights

Agribusiness M&A Surges in 2021 with M&A Volume Up 86% Year Over Year

  • With 154 transactions through Q3 2021, compared to 83 over the same period in 2020 and 92 over the same period in 2019, Agribusiness M&A continues at a surging and record setting pace. 
  • Interest from buyers and investors in Agribusiness companies varies by subsegment, but broader interest and thematic trends include: size and scale of the industry, fragmentation in the industry, aging ownership of agribusiness companies, industry proposes a natural inflation hedge, resilience through recessions, increased automation in the agribusiness supply chain, and the economic benefits of helping agribusiness companies scale more quickly through added investment.
  • M&A Activity is expected to continue at or near record levels in 2022 with a number of high-profile producer transactions taking shape in the next several months.

Supply Chain Cost Pressures and Disruptions Wreaking Havoc

  • Much of the agribusiness sector has been roiled in 2021 with rapidly increasing input prices and logistical disruptions to the industry’s supply chain.
  • Growers and processors state 25% to 75% increases in key input prices in 2021, including packaging, chemicals, and storage fees. Providers in the industry also site rapidly rising wages, approaching double digit increases in some markets.
  • Suppliers in the industry note long delays at the Company’s ports and inconsistent supply.
  • The aforementioned labor and input material issues have caused agribusiness companies to react with swift and decisive technology and automation improvements, and in some cases, have caused companies to vertically or horizontally acquire companies to gain control over their supply chain.
  • 2022 is expected to be no different, with agribusiness companies expected to invest more dollars into automation and acquisitions than ever before.

Meridian Capital Expects to be the Leading Agribusiness M&A Advisor in 2021

  • Meridian Capital expects 2021 to be a banner year for its agribusiness M&A clients, with closed transactions and transactions under LOI nearing $1 billion in total value.
  • Companies across the agribusiness supply chain are working through generational transitions and weighing those transitions with the increasing capital needs and complexities of their businesses.
  • While a majority of agribusiness M&A is negotiated on a one-off basis, Meridian Capital believes helping companies prepare for an eventual exit along with developing an organized and competitive transaction process, leads to successful transaction outcomes for its clients.
  • “Both experienced and new investors are entering the agribusiness industry at significant levels. The due diligence processes these investors undertake to complete an investment is substantial. It is important that companies are prepared for the process and know what to expect”, says James Rothenberger, Managing Director at Meridian Capital and the Agribusiness Industry Group Lead.

Source: Pitchbook, and Meridian Research

Agribusiness Market Activity

Recent Transaction Spotlights

Description: Bear Flag  Robotics is a developer of self-driving technology for tractors designed to lower the cost of farming through automation. 

Rationale: The acquisition aligns with John Deere’s long-term strategy to create smarter machines with advanced technology to support individual customer needs.

Description: Ametza is a producer of forage pellets intended to serve the livestock and companion animal industries.

Rationale: The acquisition enables Wilbur-Ellis to expand its forage business.

Description: WISErg uses its proprietary harvester technology to capture food scraps from grocery stores and transform the materials to produce fertilizers and other agricultural products.

Rationale: The acquisition supports Plant Response’s strategy of building a robust platform of biological and nutrient efficiency technologies.

Boyer Fertilizer & Pacific Coast Ag Join Nutrien Ag Solutions

Meridian Capital LLC (“Meridian”), a Seattle-based middle market corporate finance and M&A advisory firm is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of two of its clients, Boyer Fertilizer (“Boyer”) and Pacific Coast Ag (“PCA”) by Nutrien Ag Solutions (“Nutrien”).

A second-generation family business, Boyer is a processor, blender and distributor of branded, specialty and private label commercial fertilizers to the agricultural market. Boyer has differentiated itself by providing custom fertilizer blends that fit the specific needs of each customer’s growing operation, soil types and environmental considerations. PCA, a first-generation, entrepreneur-led business, coordinates logistics, application and custom blending of pre-plant soil amendments for vegetable and berry row crops. PCA maintains the exclusive distribution rights of organic and conventional fertilizers for Grow More™, AgroThrive™ and BioGro™.

Dave Willoughby, President of Boyer, shared, “We never could have imagined this much work would go into getting a transaction completed. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome and are very thankful we had Meridian Capital leading us through this transaction.” As part of a multi-stage transaction process, Meridian Capital assisted Boyer and PCA in completing a “virtual merger”, positioned the combined Boyer and PCA operation to the market, identified prospective buyers and assisted both companies in navigating the challenges and uncertainties of the deal.

Nutrien looks for companies that have a similar go-to-market approach, with partnerships ultimately resulting in bringing added value to their collective customers. Boyer and PCA have demonstrated through consistent growth, unique fertilizer and service offerings, and a loyal customer base, that they will be an integral part of Nutrien Ag Solutions.

Nutrien Ag Solutions is the retail division of Nutrien Ltd., the world’s largest crop inputs company. Nutrien provides full-acre solutions through a network of trusted crop consultants at more than 1,700 global locations. Nutrien helps growers achieve the highest yields with the most sustainable solutions possible, offering a wide selection of products, including our proprietary brands: Loveland Products, Inc.®, Proven® Seed and Dyna-Gro® Seed, and a diverse array of services, including application, soil testing, and precision agriculture services.

Nutrien’s acquisition of Boyer and PCA represents continued momentum for Meridian’s Agribusiness Practice. Other recent transactions include Gar Tootelian’s acquisition of Bennett Water Systems and International Farming Corp’s acquisition of Legacy Fruit Packers.

Royal Ridge Fruits & Cold Storage in New Partnership

Meridian Capital LLC (“Meridian”), a leading Seattle-based middle market investment bank and M&A advisory firm is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of its clients, Royal Ridge Fruits & Cold Storage and Dorsing Farms (“Royal Ridge,” “Dorsing Farms,” or the “Company”) by Arable Capital Partners (“ACP”). Through the transaction, ACP will invest in the processing and farming assets of Royal Ridge and Dorsing Farms. Meridian Capital served as the exclusive financial advisor to Royal Ridge and Dorsing Farms on the transaction.

Royal Ridge is a leader in the processing of organic and conventional dried and IQF fruits, with recognized retail offerings under the Stoneridge™ Orchards brand. The Company is a national leader in growing and processing of organic dried tart cherries for uses in trail mix, granola, baked goods and fruit and nut bars.

Located in Washington’s Columbia Basin, Dorsing Farms grows sweet and tart cherries, blueberries, and apples on over 2,500 acres of high-quality farmland. From humble beginnings in 1962, when Karl Dorsing won 160 acres of prairie-land through a state-sponsored lottery, the third-generation family farm has grown to become one of the largest tart cherry growers in the Western United States.

“Meridian’s unwavering commitment and exceptional effort throughout this complex transaction was instrumental in achieving a successful outcome. We are excited about the next chapter for Royal Ridge in partnership with Arable, and the opportunity it provides for our customers and our management team,” said Kevin Dorsing, CEO of Royal Ridge. “The Meridian team took extra care in their process to find a partner who fits with our family values and culture. The resulting partnership with Arable honors the family legacy and positions us for future success,” stated Scott Dorsing, President of Dorsing Farms.

Michael Barber, Managing Director and Head of Consumer and Food & Beverage for Meridian stated, “We are very happy with the tremendous outcome for Kevin, Scott, Bryce, and Patrick Dorsing, and the entire organization in partnering with Arable.  We thank the Dorsing family for entrusting the Meridian team to advise them on this transformational event for the family and Company. The Company’s vertical integration along with their unique farming assets positions them for long-term growth as a preferred partner to regional, national, and global commercial and retail customers.”

This transaction represents continued momentum for Meridian’s Food, Beverage, and Agribusiness practice. Other recent transactions include Boyer Fertilizer’s acquisition by Nutrien, Harbor Wholesale’s acquisition of Rich & Rhine, Harbor Wholesale’s acquisition of a significant portion of Food Services of America’s Seattle business, and nutpods growth capital investment from VMG Partners.

Publicly-traded Agribusiness Companies

Agriculture Products & Services

Company NameMarket
Cap
EVLTM
Rev
LTM
EBITDA
EBITDA
Margin
NTM Sales GrowthEV/LTM
Rev
EV/LTM
EBITDA
The Mosaic Company$13,949$17,447$10,974$2,73925.0%29.4%1.6x6.4x
CF Industries Holdings13,68419,3365,1002,07240.6%46.5%3.8x9.3x
FMC Corporation13,39516,6374,7841,23225.7%9.8%3.5x13.5x
SiteOne Landscape Supply11,14011,6233,34637711.3%9.7%3.5x30.8x
The Toro Company10,77611,0083,84062316.2%16.6%2.9x17.7x
Scotts Miracle-Gro9,76311,8134,92584617.2%0.8%2.4x14.0x
AGCO Corporation9,27610,55510,7001,21811.4%9.0%1.0x8.7x
Lindsay Corporation1,7101,7015687312.8%13.5%3.0x23.3x
CVR Partners, LP8211,35243413731.6%NM3.1x9.9x
Titan Machinery Inc.7119811,548815.2%11.7%0.6x12.1x
Intrepid Potash, Inc.5905661995025.3%10.4%2.8x11.3x
Titan International, Inc.5139471,6191116.9%13.0%0.6x8.5x
Pure Cycle Corporation37635617741.1%NMNMNM
AgroFresh Solutions, Inc.1084781625232.3%8.0%3.0x9.1x
Ceres Global Ag Corp.106268784283.6%NM0.3x9.6x
Median$13717.2%11.1%2.9x10.6x
Average$64320.4%14.9%2.3x13.2x
($US in millions, except per share amounts)

Agriculture Producers

Company NameMarket
Cap
EVLTM
Rev
LTM
EBITDA
EBITDA
Margin
NTM Sales GrowthEV/LTM
Rev
EV/LTM
EBITDA
Tyson Foods, Inc.$30,328$39,091$45,698$5,14511.3%NA0.9x7.6x
Darling Ingredients Inc.12,78814,3284,45177417.4%5.0%3.2x18.5x
Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation7,08110,09813,8571,0507.6%NA0.7x9.6x
Sanderson Farms, Inc.4,1783,9644,33660113.9%NA0.9x6.6x
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.1,7711,6821,388261.9%NA1.2xNM
Mission Produce1,4491,555862859.9%19.0%1.8x18.2x
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc.1,3922,1134,2372044.8%NA0.5x10.4x
Adecoagro S.A.1,1162,1081,03345143.7%4.0%2.0x4.7x
Calavo Growers, Inc.7188231,017323.1%NA0.8x26.1x
Farmland Partners Inc.5711,322492245.7%10.8%NMNM
Limoneira Company284$431$162$00.3%20.1%2.7xNM
Alico, Inc.2833881093027.0%NA3.5x13.1x
S&W Seed Company13918886(16)NA(3.8%)2.2xNA
Median$8510.6%7.9%1.5x10.4x
Average$64615.5%9.2%1.7x12.8x
($US in millions, except per share amounts)

Notable Transactions: Agribusiness

DateAcquirer/InvestorTargetTarget Description
PendingDeveronAgronomic SolutionsOperator of digital agronomy company intended to serve coops, retailers, seed businesses, growers, landowners, and farm managers
PendingFruturaDayka & HackettProducer and importer of fruits
PendingADMDeerland Probiotics & EnzymesContract manufacturer of probiotic, prebiotic and enzyme-based ingredients
PendingCGC VenturesSanderson FarmsPoultry processing company
Nov 21SenteraInsight SensingDeveloper of a remote sensing technology designed to offer actionable information to help agronomists manage the variability found in the fields
Oct 21HortifrutAtlantic BlueProducer of berries and cherries intended to serve the food industry
Oct 21Profile ProductsFlorikanManufacturer and distributor of controlled-release fertilizers dedicated to evolving plant nutrition through advanced fertilizer technologies
Oct 21Universal CorporationShank’s ExtractsProducer of specialty ingredients, extracts, flavors and colors intended for the food and beverage industry
Sep 21Tide Rock HoldingsSummit Seed CoatingsProducer of seed coatings intended to enhance seed productivity and yield
Sep 21Casella Waste SystemsGrow Compost of VermontManufacturer of compost intended to offer healthy soils for gardens and farmlands
Aug 21Taylor FarmsPure Green FarmsGrower, packer, and shipper of hydroponic-grown lettuce
Aug 21Organics By GoshWRK EnterprisesManufacturer of compost and soil products intended to serve the landscaping needs of Austin and the surrounding communities
Aug 21DeereBear Flag RoboticsDeveloper of self-driving technology for tractors designed to lower the cost of farming through automation
Aug 21Easy BioFurst-McNessManufacturer of animal feed intended for the North American livestock industry
Aug 21Brenntag SEJM Swank, LLCSupplier of food ingredients including spices, dairy, grain, sweeteners, fats & oils, texturants, flavors & colors, starches, cocoa, and inclusions
Jul 21GrubMarketTerminal ProduceDistributor and importer of tropical fruits, vegetables and fish intended to serve in New York and New Jersey
Jul 21Wilbur-Ellis NutritionAmetzaProducer for forage pellets intended to serve the livestock and companion animal farmers
Jul 21BrightFarmsLēf FarmsProducer of fresh greens for grocery stores, hospitality sector, schools, restaurants and food service providers
Jun 21Indianapolis Fruit CompanyValley ProduceDistributor of fresh produce and specialty products to foodservice customers
Jun 21Gulftech InternationalVerdant TechnologiesDeveloper of perishable supply chain technology intended to reduce global waste and increase sustainability
Jun 21GrubMarketSierra ProduceDIstributor of fresh fruit products to grocery stores, supermarkets, online grocers and others across the U.S.
Jun 21Arable Capital PartnersRoyal Ridge Fruit and Cold StorageProcessor of organic and conventional dried and IQF fruits
Jun 21Benford Capital PartnersNutrition Service CompanyManufacturer of livestock nutrition products intended for the agricultural industry
Jun 21IdeanomicsSolectracManufacturer of battery-powered electric tractors intended to power tractors by using the sun, wind, and other clean renewable sources of energy
Jun 21SemiosAltracDeveloper of an agriculture automation platform designed for agricultural equipment
Jun 21Hormel FoodsKraft Heinz (Planters Peanuts & Snacks Business)Producer of cashew nut and assorted nut snacks based in the United States
Jun 21Nutrien Ag SolutionsBoyer Fertilizer & Pacific Coast AgProcessor, blender and distributor of branded, specialty and private label commercial fertilizers to the agricultural market
Jun 21MGP IngredientsInclusion TechnologiesManufacturer of alternatives and functional sensory ingredients
May 21ApeelImpactVisionDeveloper of a food security and quality software platform designed to build a transparent and secure global food system and prevent food waste
May 21Synergy FlavorsInnova FlavorsManufacturer of flavors, enhancers, and taste modifiers
May 21AgrauxineAdvanced Biological MarketingManufacturer and distributor of agricultural biologicals and farm treatment products intended to increase yields and improve farm productivity
Apr 21Tilia HoldingsNutriScience InnovationsManufacturer of fine quality nutritional and functional food ingredients
Apr 21Global Clean Energy HoldingsAgribody TechnologiesDeveloper of yield-enhancing genetic technology designed to promote crop resistance and yields
Apr 21AppHarvestRoot AIDeveloper of AI-powered robotics technology with a focus on indoor farming

 

Meridian Capital's Food, Beverage & Agribusiness Transaction Experience

*Note: Includes transactions completed by Meridian bankers while at previous firms

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