New Forests Acquires AKD Plantation Forestry Assets
The deal includes 57 radiata pine plantations spanning more than 13,000 hectares across three Australian states.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Agriculture
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Investment manager New Forests has acquired the plantation forestry assets of AKD in a move to bolster its Australian timber holdings. The transaction includes over 13,000 hectares of radiata pine across Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales.
Why it matters
New Forests targeted the acquisition based on strong long-term projections for demand in housing and renewable building materials. The firm intends to hold these assets within its Australia New Zealand Landscapes and Forestry Fund.
The acquired estate comprises 57 radiata pine plantations that contribute to an annual output of over one million cubic metres of timber. This production volume represents approximately 20-25% of total Australian timber production.
The players
New Forests
New Forests is an investment manager that specialises in forestry and land management assets.
AKD
AKD is a major timber processor that retains ownership and operation of its sawmilling business.
The details
Under the new ownership, AKD will maintain its sawmilling operations while entering into long-term supply agreements with New Forests for both sawlogs and pulp logs. This strategic partnership ensures a continued flow of raw materials for AKD's processing facilities.
Timeline
15 October 2026: New Forests announced the acquisition of the plantation assets.
Market Landscape
This acquisition mirrors the broader industry trend where investment firms consolidate land ownership to secure long-term resource supply chains. By integrating these assets into a dedicated forestry fund, New Forests positions itself to capture value from the rising demand for renewable building materials.
The deal is expected to maintain current production levels of timber products used in local construction and renovation. Home builders and renovators should see stability in the long-term supply of timber through the established agreements between the two entities.
The takeaway
This acquisition signals that institutional investors remain bullish on the long-term viability of the Australian timber sector. The partnership structure allows for a stable supply chain that bridges the gap between forest management and industrial sawmilling.
Further reading
For broader trends regarding land management, see Australia Agriculture.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Real Assets.
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