The Weekly Times | October 7, 2025
Top 20 foreign owners of Aussie farmland revealed
A new report has detailed the size and scale of foreign investment, with more than 49 million hectares of Aussie farmland now in overseas ownership.
A new report has detailed the size and scale of foreign investment, with more than 49 million hectares of Aussie farmland now in overseas ownership.
by Tallis Miles
The 20 foreign nations who own the most hectares of Australian farmland have been revealed in the first edition of a new federal government report.
Foreign registered interest in Australian farmland increased to a total of 49.12 million hectares in the 12 months to June 30, 2024, a 3 per cent rise according to the first Annual Report of the Register of Foreign Ownership of Australian Assets, Agricultural land report.
Of this figure, 23.3 per cent (or 11.429 million hectares) was indirectly held by Australian investors, who have shares in entities considered foreign persons.
The report also detailed the top 20 sources of foreign investment with the United Kingdom holding the largest share at 7,383,000 hectares, combined freehold and leasehold land.
China ranks second for total agricultural landholdings owned with 6,577,000 hectares, substantially supported 5,802,000 of leasehold farmland.
The 20 foreign nations who own the most hectares of Australian farmland have been revealed in the first edition of a new federal government report.
Foreign registered interest in Australian farmland increased to a total of 49.12 million hectares in the 12 months to June 30, 2024, a 3 per cent rise according to the first Annual Report of the Register of Foreign Ownership of Australian Assets, Agricultural land report.
Of this figure, 23.3 per cent (or 11.429 million hectares) was indirectly held by Australian investors, who have shares in entities considered foreign persons.
The report also detailed the top 20 sources of foreign investment with the United Kingdom holding the largest share at 7,383,000 hectares, combined freehold and leasehold land.
China ranks second for total agricultural landholdings owned with 6,577,000 hectares, substantially supported 5,802,000 of leasehold farmland.
| Country | Total foreign share of registered interests | Foreign share of registered freehold interests | Foreign share of registered leasehold interests |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 7,383,000ha | 851,000ha | 6,532,000ha |
| People's Republic of China | 6,577,000ha | 775,000ha | 5,802,000ha |
| Canada | 5,12,8000ha | 809,000ha | 4,319,000ha |
| United States of America | 2,731,000ha | 1,200,000ha | 1,531,000ha |
| Netherlands | 2,329,000ha | 1,380,000ha | 949,000ha |
| Bahamas | 2,201,000ha | 0 | 2,201,000ha |
| Switzerland | 2,197,000ha | 270,000ha | 1,927,000ha |
| Germany | 2,161,000ha | 232,000ha | 1,929,000ha |
| South Africa | 1,863,000ha | 102,000ha | 1,760,000ha |
| Saudi Arabia | 952,000ha | 499,000ha | 453,000ha |
| Vietnam | 751,000ha | 8,000ha | 743,000ha |
| Qatar | 746,000ha | 303,000ha | 443,000ha |
| Japan | 678,000ha | 169,000ha | 508,000ha |
| Argentina | 609,000ha | 162,000ha | 447,000ha |
| Philippines | 582,000ha | 15,000ha | 567,000ha |
| Denmark | 476,000ha | 265,000ha | 211,000ha |
| Hong Kong, SAR | 423,000ha | 77,000ha | 346,000ha |
| Malaysia | 380,000ha | 184,000ha | 196,000ha |
| New Zealand | 343,000ha | 266,000ha | 77,000ha |
| Singapore | 286,000ha | 45,000ha | 241,000ha |
Source: Annual Report of the Register of Foreign Ownership of Australian Assets, June 30 2024: Agricultural land