Agribusiness
At Sharp Tudhope, we have a proven expertise & a long heritage in the primary industry sector, gained from providing generational service to grassroots farmers right through to nationwide co-operatives.
Our agribusiness specialists advise across the full value chain, from growers and landowners through to packhouses, postharvest operators, managers and contractors, delivering clear, practical legal advice that supports long-term success for families and businesses across generations.
Our experience acting for both asset owners and service providers means we understand the commercial realities on all sides, and can help clients structure arrangements that are workable, bankable, and built to last.
Farmers & Primary Industry Businesses
We advise farmers, growers, landowners, and primary industry businesses of all sizes on the legal issues that matter day to day and across generations.
That includes farm and orchard acquisitions and disposals, rural land transactions, leasing arrangements, finance and security, succession planning, and the operational agreements that underpin productive long-term outcomes.
Service Providers
We support the businesses that sit alongside and behind growers, including packhouses, post-harvest operators, orchard managers, contractors and rural service providers.
From structuring and governance through to contracting, risk allocation and dispute management, we help clients protect value while maintaining practical, workable relationships across the supply chain.
Syndications & Joint Ventures
We assist with primary industry syndications and investment structures, ranging from professionally managed platforms with $200m+ in assets under management and 500+ investors to closely held family-and-friends arrangements.
We can support the full lifecycle, from selecting and documenting the right legal structure, through acquisition and development documentation, to operational arrangements and contracting with on-the-ground operators and service providers.
Kiwifruit
We have longstanding experience in the kiwifruit sector and have supported growers, packhouses and postharvest operators through key industry restructuring milestones that shaped today’s export model, including the move to a single-desk exporter and the subsequent establishment of Zespri.
We continue to provide innovative advice to growers, packhouses and postharvest operators across New Zealand, helping clients navigate the sector’s commercial realities and the legal complexities surrounding licences, supply arrangements, operations and ownership structures.
Across Industries (Comprehensive Support)
Our agribusiness team provides end-to-end commercial support across the sector, helping clients navigate an evolving regulatory and commercial environment.
From establishment through to development and operation, we advise on ownership structures, supplier and distribution arrangements, capital raising, funding and finance, and the agreements that support sustainable long-term growth.
Our Expertise
Specific industries:
- Agriculture and dairy farming
- Horticulture (including kiwifruit)
- Viticulture
- Forestry and harvesting
- Aquaculture
- Apiculture
- Agritech
- Agrinutrients
- Packhouses and post-harvest sector
General categories:
- Syndications, joint ventures and operational structures (including limited partnerships, companies and co-operative structures)
- Capital raising and security offers
- Irrigation and water schemes
- Resource Management
- Emissions Trading Scheme
- Operational management
- Contracting and terms of service (including contractors and service providers)
- Distribution arrangements
- Succession planning and structuring
- Sales and purchases of farms, orchards and rural commercial properties (including finance)
- Leases and occupation arrangements (including orchard and rural land leases)
Specific agreements:
- Shareholder agreements
- Limited partnership agreements
- Constitutions
- Subscription agreements
- Joint venture agreements
- Syndication and investment documentation
- Sale and purchase of real estate with special agribusiness terms
- Lease agreements (including orchard leases)
- Orchard management agreements
- Shared services agreements
- Supply, purchase and export agreements
- Distribution agreements
- Sharemilking and contract milking agreements
- Land use agreements
- Set-down agreements
- Contractor agreements and terms of trade / service
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of agribusiness clients does Sharp Tudhope work with?
Completely across the spectrum, from closely held family businesses to nationwide co-operatives and large corporate operations. We act for growers and landowners, packhouses and post-harvest operators, orchard managers and contractors, forestry and harvesting businesses, and agritech and other sector service providers.
Can Sharp Tudhope help me buy, sell or lease a farm or orchard?
Absolutely. Our property experts regularly advise on the full lifecycle of rural property transactions, including farm and orchard sales and purchases, due diligence, finance and security, and leasing and occupation arrangements. We focus on clear, practical advice that keeps transactions moving and protects your position.
How can Sharp Tudhope assist with structuring my agribusiness or investment?
We advise on a full range of ownership and operational structures, including companies, joint ventures, limited partnerships, co-operatives and syndications. We can help you choose the right structure, document it properly, and ensure the arrangements are workable and bankable in practice.
Do you act for service providers such as packhouses, post-harvest operators, orchard managers and contractors?
Certainly. We regularly advise the businesses that support growers and landowners across the supply chain. We can assist with structuring and governance, contracting, terms of trade, risk allocation, and dispute management – helping you protect value while maintaining productive long-term relationships.
Can you help with syndications in the primary sector?
Absolutely. We support syndicators with end-to-end syndication legal work, from establishing the structure and governance settings (including limited partnership and shareholder documentation) through to acquisition and development documentation, management and lease arrangements, and contracting with operators and service providers.
Does Sharp Tudhope have experience in the kiwifruit industry specifically?
Without question. We have longstanding experience in the kiwifruit sector and understand how the industry’s export model and supply chain settings shape day-to-day contracting and risk. We advise growers, packhouses and post-harvest operators on the legal issues that matter, including licences, supply and post-harvest arrangements, orchard leases and management structures, and the practical issues that arise as businesses grow and evolve.
Can Sharp Tudhope help with succession planning for my agricultural business?
Absolutely. Succession planning is often one of the most important and complex challenges for primary industry businesses. We provide strategic, practical advice to help you plan for the future, whether that involves transitioning ownership to the next generation, restructuring, or preparing for a sale.
