The 10 most important rules for investing in agriculture favour South America
Rule 1. Only invest in investor-friendly countries: Agricultural investments require a medium to long-term view. A typical investment in mainstream agriculture will require 70-80% of your investment to go into the land. There is no need to add to these risks by going into countries where you put your capital at risk. This rules out most of Africa, Eastern Europe and parts of Asia. Rule 2. Countries with low, preferably no, subsidies for agriculture. Subsidies can be alluring because they can be seen as underwriting…
Puerto Varas or Little Germany
It could be a Little Germany Puerto Varas and its surrounding rolling farmland treat you to breathtaking views of valleys, vineyards, productive farms and, of course, the volcanoes. Most of you know that the most active volcano, the 6,500-foot Calbuco, erupted again after 50 years of inactivity. Fortunately for Chileans and unfortunately for Argentines, the Westerly winds blow most of the Ash over Argentina, leaving this beautiful town unaffected. Those villages closer to the epicentre are not so lucky. Strolling…
The Vestey Meat Empire in South America
The Vestey Brothers were once the largest meat retailers in the world The company once controlled one-third of the refrigerated storage capacity in Britain and two-thirds of multiple butcher shops. It accounted for 20 per cent of all meat imported into Britain. Origins and early growth William Vestey (1859 – 1940) and Edmund Hoyle Vestey (1866 – 1954) were born to Samuel Vestey, a Liverpool provisions merchant. William Vestey William Vestey was sent to Chicago to scout for opportunities in 1876. He was…
Americans are quitting plant-based meat in droves due to high prices, worse taste, and questionable health benefits
Meat producers have nothing to fear from Fake Meat. Plant-based meat looked poised to change the world — but then Americans stopped buying it. In 2020, retail sales of plant-based meat grew 45%, surpassing the $1 billion mark for the first time. Increasing awareness of companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, in addition to climate change and animal welfare concerns, nudged many Americans to give fake meat a shot. The nature of the pandemic helped sales as well. Many consumers faced meat shortages,…
Latin America: Agricultural Perspectives
A profile of Latin American agriculture Latin America has long been associated with the production and export of a diverse range of agricultural commodities, whether it is coffee from Brazil and Colombia, beef from Argentina, or bananas from Ecuador. Trade data show that the region is indeed an important net exporter of agricultural commodities to the world, accounting for an estimated 16% of global food and agriculture exports between 2012 and 2014, while representing just 4% of global food and agriculture…
Chilean Accounting and Tax Compliance Requirements
The legalities for running a business in Chile are similar to those of other Latin American countries. However, there are a few differences concerning taxes, documentation, and licensing that are important to note in your research of Chilean business practices. Tax Rates Chile has four main taxes: Value Added Tax (VAT), Stamp tax, Customs duties, and corporate and personal income taxes. Other tax rates and rules are listed below: The Corporate income tax rate is 20% on worldwide income and capital gains There…
Agricultural Syndicates, Partnerships, all need to have a shareholders agreement at the start of a new business.
If you’re starting or running a business or buying a property with other co-founders, someone probably told you to get a shareholders agreement. But why is this important? What does a shareholders agreement do? What can happen if you don’t get one? In this article, I’ll explain why you need to have some hard conversations with co-founders and we’ll look at an interesting recent case with costly consequences. What is a shareholders agreement? A shareholders agreement is a contract where you agree…
Osorno located in Chile 10th Region gets a 10 out of 10 for Investors
The Lake District of Southern Chile, Osorno, is the agricultural centre of the 10th region. Located at the confluence of the Rahue and Damas rivers in the sight of the active but minor Osorno Volcano, the pasture growth is excellent as the volcanic soils are naturally fertile and predominantly free-draining. The region has interestingly preserved much of the 19th-century architecture and urban layout. Its large park is decorated with beautiful fountains, benches and stunning tree-lined avenues in the city’s…
How to Buy Property in Santiago de Chile
Over recent decades, the housing market in the Chilean capital Santiago has seen steady growth amid a generally high level of prosperity in the country, making it one of the most lucrative real estate markets in Latin America. As such, a popular choice among investors is to buy property in Santiago, including as a potentially profitable alternative to renting among those whose primary intention is to incorporate a company in Chile or otherwise do business in the country unrelated to real estate. Chile boasts…
Chile’s Epic Route of Parks is now open
In recent years, Chile has made huge progress in protecting its incredible natural beauty. Now the culmination of the conservation work has come in the form of the Route of Parks – or Ruta de los Parques – a 2800 km route that connects 17 national parks across the country. The route is an incredible hiking trail running all the way from Puerto Montt to Cape Horn. Three existing scenic routes have been used as part of the trail: the Southern Way, the End of the World Route and the Patagonian…
Los Lagos de Chile – 10 Region centred on the city of Osorno
Osorno is an important city and commune in southern Chile and capital of Osorno Province in the Los Lagos Region. It had a population of over 150,000. It is located 945 kilometres (587 miles) south of the national capital of Santiago, 105 kilometres (65 miles) north of the regional capital of Puerto Montt and 260 kilometres (160 miles) west of the Argentine city of San Carlos de Bariloche, connected via International Route 215 through the Cardenal Antonio Samoré Pass. Osorno is a rural service centre for the…
Understanding International Family Offices as an alternative source of investment capital
The role of the family office has often been misunderstood, even though the concept has been around (in various forms) for hundreds of years. Still, today, as this industry controls billions of dollars in assets under management, many intelligent, experienced finance professionals cannot offer a complete definition of what a family office is exactly. Today, the family office industry is expanding at an impressive pace, with new family offices opening every month and assets continuing to grow yearly. The family…
Avison Young invests in Valuation & Advisory business for Latin America operations
Max Gill and Michelle D’Artigues join as Principals in Mexico City, continue partnership to grow business line for the region Max Gill and Michelle D’Artigues join as Principals in Mexico City, continue partnership to grow business line for the region Mexico City, MX – Emile Sarraf, Avison Young Principal and Managing Director of the firm’s Mexico City office, today announced the appointment of Max Gill and Michelle D’Artigues as Avison Young Principals. Gill and D’Artigues,…
Davos 2023 backs an Argentine firm that optimises irrigation efficiency with new technology
Kilimo, an Argentine company that uses data to optimise irrigation, received solid financial support at this year’s Davos forum to continue developing a system that helps farmers in Latin America save thousands of litres of water. Kilimo, an Argentine company that uses data to optimise irrigation, received strong financial support at this year’s Davos forum to continue developing a system that helps farmers in Latin America save thousands of litres of water. The company, which advises farmers in…
Rich investors pulling out of Chile, leaving behind a USD 50-billion hole in the economy
Chile, Latin America’s stand-out economy for the better part of 50 years and a darling of Wall Street, is facing an existential moment in many ways. Chile, Latin America’s stand-out economy for the better part of 50 years and a darling of Wall Street, is facing an existential moment in many ways. Its Milton Friedman-inspired constitution is still intact, for now. But virtually everywhere you look, once sacrosanct pillars of the country’s free-market system — from its private pensions and health…
