Land Matrix Analytical Report I: Transnational land deals for agriculture in the Global South

Authors: Ward Anseeuw, Mathieu Boche, Thomas Breu, Markus Giger, Jann Lay, Peter Messerli and Kerstin Nolte

Published: 2012

This report draws on the Land Matrix database to analyse and better understand the phenomenon of large-scale agricultural land deals. It first provides a global overview and emphasises the indisputable reality of the large-scale land acquisitions. It then details the target countries and regions and looks at the determinants of investment decisions, as well as whether investors really target marginal land. Thirdly, it examines the investor countries, the investors and their characteristics before focusing on learning more about the drivers of the global increase in demand for land. Finally, the processes of large-scale land acquisitions are examined, including an assessment of compensation and potential benefits.