General News
28 October, 2026
Howe family puts farms on market
SIX farms owned by the Howe family have been placed on the market after the family undertook a strategic review of its substantial holdings following the passing of Dennis Howe last year.
The farms, located at Mutchilba, Mareeba and Arriga, comprise more than 1500 hectares and are being sold via an expression of interest process.
The sale marks a significant milestone for Howe Farming Group, a family enterprise founded by Tom and Yola Howe in the early 1950s that grew from a small tobacco and vegetable operation near Mareeba into one of the region’s most influential agricultural businesses.
Under the leadership of second-generation farmer Dennis Howe OAM, the business diversified into avocados, peanuts, bananas, coffee and citrus, becoming one of the region’s largest private employers and a recognised innovator within Australian agriculture.
But following Mr Howe’s passing and a subsequent strategic review of its portfolio, the family has decided to divest a selection of properties in order to focus on its core enterprises.
“The Howe family has been part of the fabric of the Tablelands for generations and these farms tell the story of that journey,” Howe Farming chairman Ian Wilton said.
“The Mareeba region on the Tablelands is the perfect location to innovate and establish a diverse portfolio of high value crops.
“As custodians of these assets, the family has always focused on long-term sustainability and regional development. We believe the portfolio now presents incoming investors with an exceptional platform for future growth.
“This aggregation represents only a portion of the Howe Farming enterprise. Proceeds of the sale will be reinvested into further developing the remaining Howe Farming portfolio.”
The farms for sale are:
Masterton Park at Mutchilba (825ha) – An established citrus platform and the portfolio’s principal irrigation development opportunity. Land use is 65.74ha of mandarin orchard under five years of age, 419.50ha of centre-pivot irrigation country and 339.76ha of additional country. Includes a substantial shed and home.
Cirrani’s at Mareeba (97.22ha) – Currently undeveloped to permanent horticulture and represents the portfolio’s principal greenfield opportunity or a lifestyle family farm holding. Includes a substantial shed and four-bedroom home.
DiMarcos at Arriga (198.6ha) – Sugar cane with potential for development.
Godfrey’s at Arriga (49.2ha) – Coffee processing hub and most diversified property. 22.57ha of coffee, 12.99ha of lychee orchard, 6.43ha plantable and 7.21ha support. Features packing shed and coffee processing plant, 12,990sq m of netting, workshops and sheds, and two homes.
Rasos at Mareeba (51.91ha) – The portfolio’s principal coffee holding carrying 48.64ha of established coffee plantation. Includes a substantial shed and two homes.
Falvos at Mareeba (35.95ha) – 19.53ha of avocado orchard, 13.76ha developable. Includes three-bedroom tenanted home.
Elders Real Estate chief executive officer Tom Russo said interested parties could bid on individual properties or the portfolio as a whole.
“The portfolio provides exposure to multiple high value horticultural sectors while also offering significant operational scale and access to established water infrastructure, processing capability and experienced local labour markets,” he said.
Mr Russo said the sale was expected to attract interest from domestic farming families, corporate operators, international investors and agricultural funds seeking exposure to Australia’s expanding horticulture sector.
