With vendors ranging from Chinese property developers to chocolate makers, a string of recent properties to hit the market has suggested some corners of corporate agriculture may be shifting focus.

This is especially true for foreign ownership of Australian farms, with the level of foreign ownership said to be at a seven-year low, according to analysis of Foreign Investment Review Board data by real estate marketing firm Ray White.

News of large-scale corporate agriculture assets hitting the market picked up pace in October. The Australian Financial Review has reported several large-scale transactions that signal a change of direction for investors.

In the Riverina, chocolate makers Ferrero Rocher will bulldoze 1 million almond trees worth around $70 million on the Dellapool aggregation near Narrandera and place the 2,665.7ha property on the market for $80 million.

In northern Australia, dual Australian-Chinese citizen and property developer Hui Wing Mau has elected to put his 2.9 million hectares of agricultural assets, marketed as the Kimberley Cattle Portfolio, up for sale for a reported $250 million. It appears Mr Hui’s focus is returning to his ailing Hong Kong property development business, which has lost more than 50% of its value since defaulting on loan obligations in the past 12 months.

And there are more reports of smaller enterprises in the Monaro region of NSW up for sale by Chinese vendors.

Director at rural property agents LAWD, Col Medway, recently told the Australian Financial Review that there is an opportunity to expand while property prices are running at a discount to values a year ago, saying buyers who “sit on their hands” may rue the opportunity missed.