RFM Almond Fund 2008 ARSN 127 947 960

The RFM Almond Fund 2008 (AF08) is a managed investment scheme that provides investors (Growers) with the opportunity to participate in the business of growing and selling almonds for the world market

Growers in the 2008 Almond Fund operate 206.30 hectares of almond orchards near Hillston, New South Wales.

The Australian almond industry is now Australia’s most valuable horticultural export industry. The Australian Almond Board reported an increase in export sales of 19% to $740 million over the 2015 marketing year, with Australian almonds sold to 50 countries and India comprising close to $200 million in sales. World almond demand has now surpassed production, and according to the Australian Almond Board, sales volumes are constrained by the availability of almonds.  Opportunities for growth in production are made possible by cost effective mechanised production systems and Australia’s proximity to major developing markets such as India and China.

Fund overview

The aim of AF08 is to provide investors (Growers) with the opportunity to operate an almond growing business. The business attracts tax deductions supported by…

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Fund Overview

The aim of AF08 is to provide investors (Growers) with the opportunity to operate an almond growing business. The business attracts tax deductions supported by ATO Product Ruling PR 2010/28.

AF08 Growers participate in the business of growing and selling almonds for the world market. Each Grower is licensed to occupy and farm one or more Almondlots each consisting of an area of 0.2158 hectares (ha). Each Almondlot is planted with approximately 60 almond trees and has sufficient water entitlements delivered via a highly efficient irrigation system to cultivate and farm the trees.

Grower returns are dependent upon the performance of their almond growing business. Returns are generated from the almond sale proceeds, less the annual operating and management costs including the lease of land and operational infrastructure. AF08 terminates on 30 June 2028 with no further obligations to the Growers.

The operational management of AF08 is led by the RFM team. This team has significant expertise in almond orchard design, development and operational management, and is currently responsible for maintaining 600ha of almond orchard at Hillston in New South Wales.

As Responsible Entity, RFM is responsible for orchard operations, maintenance, harvesting, pre-processing and delivery. RFM also manages all accounting and administrative functions of AF08.

AF08 is closed to new investment.

 

Assets/operations

Growers in AF08 have the licence to occupy and operate an area of the Mooral property in Hillston, New South Wales. The Mooral property is…

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Assets / Operations

Growers in AF08 have the licence to occupy and operate an area of the Mooral property in Hillston, New South Wales. The Mooral property is leased from the landowner, Rural Funds Group (RFF), a unit trust also managed by RFM.

Hillston is known as a production centre for agricultural commodities including citrus, wine-grapes, cotton, potatoes and cherries.

RFM, as the Responsible Entity for the Project, has a long term Almond Crop Supply Agreement (Agreement) with Almondco Australia Limited (Almondco), whereby Almondco processes, markets and sell the almonds on behalf of the AF08 Growers.

The almonds from the Project are delivered to Almondco’s processing plant where they are graded according to quality, size and colour.  The Agreement obliges Almondco to use its endeavours to sell the almonds at the best price available at the time of sale.  As part of this obligation Almondco determines which value added processes should be applied to maximize the value of the almonds.

 

Financial information

Growers are required to pay annual fees and expenses, which includes Management Fees, Operating Costs and Licence Fees in accordance with individual agreements entered into…

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Financial Information

Growers are required to pay annual fees and expenses, which includes Management Fees, Operating Costs and Licence Fees in accordance with individual agreements entered into with RFM.  The fees may be deducted from returns on the investment. In the years in which a Grower’s proceeds from the sale of almonds exceeds their fees and expenses, a statement will be sent showing the amounts of revenue, annual fees and expenses and payment will be made from the net return.

In the years in which a Grower’s proceeds from the sale of almonds does not exceed their fees and expenses, a statement will be sent showing the amount of the revenue and the annual fees and expenses, and an invoice for the balance payable will be sent by 1 July of that year which shall fall due for payment on 31 July of that year.

Investor information

Information on investor communications and related resources

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4th March 2015

2015 Harvest Update – RFM Almond Funds

The annual harvest of almondlots licensed to Growers in AF06, AF07 and AF08 commenced earlier than usual in 2015, with around 35 per cent of the crop already harvested.

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27th January 2015

Almond Health Benefits

Studies again prove the positive effects of nut consumption - article originally published in 'In a Nut Shell' Summer edition December 2014 by Almond Board of Australia.

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15th August 2014

Almond Fund Presentation Available

In October 2014, RFM will make distributions to Growers in RFM Almond Fund 2006 (AF06), RFM Almond Fund 2007 (AF07) and RFM Almond Fund 2008 (AF08).

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1st August 2014

Almond Frost Fans Update

During July, twelve frost fans were installed on the almond orchards at the Mooral property in NSW.