Van Lanschot Kempen’s Farmland Fund acquires Portuguese olive orchard to expand sustainable crop platform
Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management’s SDG Farmland Fund has acquired a c. 400‑hectare irrigated olive orchard in Faro do Alentejo, in Portugal’s Alqueva region. The asset will be integrated into the strategy’s existing Rio de Azeite platform, located in one of Portugal’s leading olive‑growing hubs.
The farm benefits from gentle slopes and sufficient water resources, with ready access to irrigation water from the Alqueva Dam. It will focus on high quality olives for the production of extra virgin olive oil.
Richard Jacobs, Head of Farmland Investments at Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management: “This new acquisition offers a compelling long‑term opportunity in sustainable olive oil production, combining favourable climate conditions, reliable water resources and competitive cost levels. It strengthens our Rio de Azeite platform and allows us to apply regenerative and environmentally respectful farming practices at scale. This underwrites our aim to contribute to SDG-goals, in particular with regards to soil improvement, healthy food and water and biodiversity.”
Strengthening our sustainable olive platform
Integrating the existing Rio de Azeite property with the new acquisition creates opportunities for greater efficiency and synergy. This enables Van Lanschot Kempen to further expand its Portuguese olive platform on one of the prime locations in the Alqueva region.
Farm management, in the hands of a team with extensive experience overseeing comparable olive orchards across the Iberian Peninsula, will prioritise efficient water use, careful soil management and the protection of identified biodiversity areas.
In 2026 Van Lanschot Kempen’s SDG Farmland Fund has achieved its 5-year track record. This acquisition increases the total land managed globally to c. 26.600 hectares, with an AuM of over €480 million (as at March 31, 2026). The majority of capital committed by investors is now deployed.
Sustainable framework
The asset will be incorporated into the SDG Farmland strategy’s sustainability framework through tailored implementation plans and targets. We will make sure to follow the recommendations regarding the use of grass cover to maintain soil structure; restrict the use of heavy machinery traffic to prevent soil compaction and prioritise efficient drip irrigation to limit water use and prevent pollution. In addition, three conservation areas are mapped, where biodiversity will be studied and managed.