State-owned Landcorp has confirmed it will bid for the 16 Crafar family dairy farms that are in receivership.Earlier this week, NBR reported that the country's biggest farmer Landcorp was being less than subtle about its interest, using a helicopter
State-owned Landcorp has confirmed it will bid for the 16 Crafar family dairy farms that are in receivership.
Earlier this week, NBR reported that the country's biggest farmer Landcorp was being less than subtle about its interest, using a helicopter to fly in staff for inspections.
In May, Landcorp admitted assessment work was under way on the farms but it was not certain the state-owned company would bid on them. Confirmation of a bid has now been given.
Landcorp chief executive Chris Kelly said he had had the farms valued and Landcorp would be putting in an offer, according to media reports.
Landcorp would not be offering the big money Chinese company Natural Dairy was rumoured to have negotiated with receivers KordaMentha, Mr Kelly said.
Natural Dairy, fronted by New Zealand-registered UBNZ, has an agreement with the receivers to buy the Crafar farms, but it is conditional on Overseas Investment Office consent.
A Landcorp offer would also make it a condition of purchase that three farmhouses at Reporoa occupied by Crafar family members were empty.
Beth Crafar, wife of family head Allan Crafar, said last night the family did not intend to leave. She said a court case to hear the receivers' eviction order against the family would be held next month.
Last week receiver Michael Stiassny from KordaMentha said tenders for the Crafar farms had been extended for two weeks to July 7, rather than closing today as previously planned.
Last month the receivers said there was significant interest from a number of well qualified parties in the farms. Last week Mr Stiassny said that pushing out the deadline would allow those parties more time to complete their due diligence checks.
