VOAG started with eight poultry sheds in 2015 and has now expanded to 80. Photo: Colliers

ONE of the largest broiler farms in Australia has come to market with the listing of the VOAG portfolio and its 80 poultry sheds which is permitted to turn off more than 5.2 million chickens per batch cycle.

Located 30km north-west of Griffith in the Tabbita district of New South Wales’ Riverina region, it is being offered for sale in its entirety, with private equity and institutional investors tipped as the most likely suitors.

The VOAG portfolio is being marketed by Colliers and comprises five individual, self-contained farms of 16 sheds each, and supplies broilers under contract to Baiada, which has a large-scale processing facility at Hanwood, just south of Griffith.

The portfolio has experienced staff residing on each of the farms responsible for day-to-day management, and providing an attractive investment proposition for institutional or private investors alike.

VOAG was founded in 2015 by Victorian-based Robert Vojtkiv, who built the portfolio up from eight sheds initially to 40 within three years, and 80 by 2022.

“VOAG is a modern agribusiness investment that has been built for financial performance across every aspect of its asset base and business,” Colliers’ national director Jesse Manuel said.

“The enterprise is a highly profitable, institutional-grade investment opportunity that has been developed with an emphasis on sustainability through investment in solar, water preservation and a continued focus on reducing its environmental footprint.”

The portfolio covers more than 212ha, with the poultry operation amounting to over 245,000m2 of production area, and benefits from an experienced workforce that would be available to continue under new ownership.

“The significant increase in construction costs in recent years, together with enhanced regulatory due diligence, makes an acquisition of a turn-key operation considerably more attractive in today’s market,” Colliers’ national director Duncan McCulloch said.

“Australian agriculture is seen as a safe haven for investment, and we are seeing a record quantum of capital being raised throughout the globe for deployment in high-quality assets that offer scale and consistent returns, and that are underpinned by supply contracts and a professional
management solution.

“The ability for investors to deploy more capital through the development of extensive additional shedding is a huge feature, further enhancing economies of scale to drive efficiencies and increase profit margin.”

Age of chicken

Colliers reports that chicken remains the most popular meat in Australia, with nearly 70 percent of households serving it at least twice a week.

The average per capita consumption of chicken meat in 2024 was over 50kg, reflecting its status as a staple in Australian diets.

“Sustainability is a key focus for the industry, with frameworks in place to support the transition to a lower-carbon future, with initiatives including improving energy efficiency, reducing waste, and enhancing animal welfare standards.”

“These efforts are aimed at ensuring the long-term prosperity of the industry while minimising its environmental impact.”

VOAG operates in accordance with RSPCA standards, and considerable investment has been made in installing solar infrastructure.

The VOAG portfolio will be offered for sale by expressions of interest from late September.

Source: Colliers, VOAG