An Australian company and a member of China's Shanghai Pengxin Group are considering acquiring one of Australia's biggest beef producers, S. Kidman & Co.
Funds manager and agribusiness investor Australian Rural Capital said on Tuesday that if the proposed transaction is completed, ARC will hold a direct ownership stake in Kidman as a partner to the Shanghai Pengxin Group member.
ARC intends to raise funds in Australia to give Australian investors an opportunity to invest in Kidman through a fund or an investment company managed by ARC.
ARC said the Shanghai Pengxin Group member had applied to the Foreign Investment Review Board for approval of the proposed transaction.
The application to the FIRB includes the proposed ownership and role of ARC in the proposed transaction.
S. Kidman & Co operates a herd of 185,000 cattle and has pastoral leases covering 101,000 square kilometres in three states and the Northern Territory.
Kidman cattle stations produce grass-fed beef for export to Japan, the US and Southeast Asia.
Shares in ARC last traded at 44 cents.
