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In this episode, Corporate Finance Partner Jannaya James talks through the 10th Edition of Dealtracker, what the current deals landscape looks like and where Australia sits on the global stage.

M&A deal volumes are down, but industry deal composition suggests Australia’s M&A landscape has largely stabilised. IMs led the charge by deploying long-held capital, while IPOs are subdued – likely into the future. Industrials continues to be the sector driving activity, and SMEs again remain some of the most sought-after targets for acquisition.

Merger & Acquisition (M&A) and equity market activity in the Agribusiness, Food & Beverage (Ag, F&B) sector is undergoing a strategic shift, as investors have become more selective and increasingly cautious in response to global economic uncertainty.

M&A deal volumes and IPOs are down during economic uncertainty – but that hasn’t stopped Australia being an attractive investment opportunity.

Over the past 18 months, we have seen a consistent level of deal activity despite significant headwinds which have impacted the Agribusiness, Food & Beverage (Ag, F&B) sector and the broader economy. Through our analysis of 1,466 global transactions for the Ag, F&B sector in the 18-month period to December 2022, transaction multiples have remained strong – a pleasing result for businesses undertaking divestment activity.

M&A deal volumes are up – the most they have been since 2010. A new sector has taken the top spot for the number of transactions in the market.

Despite numerous lockdowns throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the essential nature of the Agribusiness, Food & Beverage sector has seen diversification and growth opportunities for many of the market participants.

M&A took a massive hit in 2020, with the majority of transactions put on hold in the February-March 2020 period in response to COVID.

We have released the seventh edition of Dealtracker, our analysis of the Australian M&A and equity markets. Covering transactions during the 18 month period from1 January 2019 to 30 June 2020, we saw a significant decrease in deals in H1 2020 as the world responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Agribusiness, Food & Beverage Dealtracker

Welcome to the 2019 edition of Bite Size Dealtracker Update which focuses on M&A and IPO activity in the Agribusiness, Food & Beverage industry in calendar year 2018. Our previous Bite Size Dealtrackers covered the 7 year period from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2017 (Long Term Period).

Key insights for the Australian Food, Beverage & Agribusiness industry.