A new report, released today at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Global Private Equity Conference in association with EMPEA, delivers market insights and sustainability guidance to private equity investors seeking opportunities in emerging markets agribusiness.

The report Private Equity and Emerging Markets Agribusiness: Building Value Through Sustainability is a collaboration among five organisations with wide-ranging experience in this area, including CDC, Credit Suisse, EMPEA, IFC and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). It highlights environmental and social value drivers and risks when investing in emerging markets agribusiness. Drawing on a wealth of experience from its authors, surveys and case studies, the report makes valuable recommendations to fund managers on implementing an effective Environmental and Social Management System both for themselves and their portfolio companies.

Demand for agricultural products is growing as a result of increasing population, consumer choices and energy and raw material needs. The report finds that private equity funds are capitalizing on these trends, with over 150 firms investing in nearly 300 emerging markets deals since 2008. The amount of capital invested in recent years has climbed, including deal sizes that may signify a trend toward larger investments.