New Forests Asset Management Pty Ltd - Green Triangle softwood plantation assets of Global Forest Partners LP

Summary

Third Australian New Zealand Forest Fund (ANZFF3)*, a forestry investment fund managed by New Forests Asset Management Pty Ltd (New Forests), proposes to acquire the softwood plantation assets of Global Forest Partners LP (GFP) in the Green Triangle region of Victoria and South Australia. 

*New Forests subsequently advised the ACCC that the proposed acquirer had changed, from the ANZFF3 fund to a trust representing investors who have no investment in the Timberlink Tarpeena sawmill or Penola Plantations. It would no longer include the ANZFF3 fund or any other fund currently managed by New Forests.

Market definition

The ACCC considered the effects of the proposed acquisition on the supply and acquisition of the following types of logs, sourced from the Green Triangle region that straddles the South Australian-Victorian border:

• structural sawlogs, for such uses as house frames
• non-structural sawlogs, for such uses as packaging and landscaping and
• roundwood, for such uses as farm fencing.

Competition analysis

The ACCC concluded that the proposed acquisition is unlikely to substantially lessen competition in any market.

The ACCC noted that the relevant markets are already highly concentrated. The ACCC investigated: bargaining dynamics in the markets; concerns that New Forests could favour supplying the New Forests-associated Tarpeena mill; and alternative sources of supply.

The ACCC determined that, following the proposed acquisition, it is unlikely that there would be any significant change to the competitive dynamics between participants in the markets for log supply. This is largely due to the industry’s contracting practices and long-term supply cycles.

In addition, forestry company OneFortyOne has the largest share of plantation area in the region and will remain a large source of alternative supply in all product markets.