The ANM Group has purchased 139-acres of farmland at Cairnton Farm, Inverurie, which adjoins the cooperative’s existing land and Aberdeen & Northern Marts’ premises at Thainstone Agricultural Centre.
The land, on both sides of the B993 Inverurie-Kemnay road, will give the business additional options for grazing livestock and cropping.
Pat Machray chief executive officer at ANM Group, said: “We are conscious that some of our existing capacity will be taken up by ongoing development at Thainstone.
“In order to maintain the level of ground required for the livestock business, this purchase is a very good strategic fit and adds to the operational core we have at Thainstone.”
The ANM Group is implementing a master plan for Thainstone which includes E2, a four-acre office development, and Phase 1, which will be a nine-acre industrial development.
There are also plans for a new abattoir in conjunction with Scotbeef (Inverurie) Ltd.
The Thainstone site has been regularly expanded over the years since its purchase in 1990 as a green-field site. Apart from the market it is now home to industrial and office premises, and a large specialist auction site designed to accommodate plant and machinery sales.