Latest News

At the time of writing, the 2025 farmland selling season is drawing to a close. Autumn drilling is coming to an end, the leaves are falling from the trees, and Christmas is around the corner.

As usual, farming has faced a range of difficulties over the past 12 months. Arable commodity prices are disappointingly low, while input prices remain stubbornly high, interest rates are barely creeping downwards, last year’s wet autumn turned into a drought in the summer, there is a severe shortage of fodder and straw, and the Chancellor seems determined to overturn some long-established advantages of owning and farming land. The wider economy also appears to be in difficulty with many sectors waiting anxiously for the Autumn Budget announcement, and ongoing instability in Ukraine and Gaza continuing to cast uncertainty over global markets. Manufacturing and logistics sectors are under strain and discretionary spending in leisure and retail remains subdued. Overall, house prices are flat or declining in many areas, and commercial property values remain under pressure.

Of course, it is not all bad news. The livestock sector has enjoyed a couple of better years recently, few agricultural businesses are under any real pressure from the banks, development proceeds continue to be enjoyed by a lucky few, and autumn drilling has been completed in good conditions.

Perhaps as a result of the above difficulties, we have seen a noticeable increase in properties coming to the market, although this varies considerably from region to region. In our own core area, there has been little land on the market. Nevertheless, despite the increased supply, farmland values have remained remarkably resilient. Prime arable land continues to command strong prices, with few sales below £10,000 per acre and with £12,000-£14,000 per acre common where local demand is strong.

We sold two farms over the summer: 842.63 acres in Somerset and 356.26 acres in Buckinghamshire.

In both cases, we received strong, if not overwhelming, interest with many parties benefiting from rollover proceeds. In both cases, we were able to conclude deals quickly and at more than satisfactory prices for our sellers.

We also sold a block of land for natural capital purposes at close to £10,000 per acre and purchased an equipped farm in Northumberland for a longstanding client.

Predicting the market for 2026 is perhaps more difficult than it has been in recent years. I would predict that the supply of farms will continue at a raised level, but I would expect prices to hold firm given the appetite from farmers with rollover funds. The price of gold remains strong, and likewise, agricultural land is regarded as a stable sought-after and resilient asset in the face of economic uncertainty.

For more information or to discuss marketing your farm or land for sale or to let, then please contact me.