However, this has not led to an increase in the amount of farmland offered for sale compared to last year. By the end of October, 159,400 acres of land had been publicly marketed across Great Britain, which is 11% less than in the equivalent period of 2024.

Despite this, market activity remains 18% above the average for January-October of the last five years. It is similar to the average for 2012-2016, which we consider a period of typical market behaviour before Brexit, Covid, and the war in Ukraine. This suggests that the volume of land traded has returned to more normal levels.

Supply of farmland

Supply is down compared to last year in England (13%) and Scotland (12%), but up by 9% in Wales, following a busy October in terms of new launches. During October, 11 properties totalling 2,300 acres launched in Wales, making it the most active month since May. Within England, only one region bucks the trend: the East Midlands, where supply is 22% higher than last year and 71% higher than the average for 2012-2016. Historically, it has been a more liquid market, with owners trading in and out in a way not seen elsewhere. The strong arable focus in this region is thought to explain the current level of activity partly, but sellers' motivations vary – including retirement, institutions disposing of non-core assets, and probate. At the same time, both private individuals and corporates are actively buying land within the region.

While the volume of land marketed in Great Britain has contracted compared to the equivalent period last year, the market is similar in other aspects. In both years, the average property size marketed was around 190 acres, and the distribution of unit sizes was very similar. This means the market has contracted due to fewer properties being marketed. Our statistics track properties of over 50 acres, and there have been 111 fewer (12%) between January and October 2025 than in the same period of 2024. Looking back over the last ten years, the distribution of unit size is more variable (Figure 1), and compared to the ten-year average, more large units were marketed in 2024 and 2025. In both years, 20% of the land offered was on holdings of over 1,000 acres, compared to an average of 16%.

Farmland values

On average, farmland values have fallen by 0.6% over the first three quarters of this year, but results vary by grade and region (Figure 2). For example, in the East of England, pasture values are unchanged, whilst arable values have fallen. Prime arable land has fallen the most, by 5.5%, and grade 3 arable land has fallen by 1.5%; overall average arable values have fallen by 2.7%.

On the other hand, in the North of England, most land types have increased in value, except poorer pasture, which has fallen by 2.3%. Prime dairy land values have increased by 2.3%, reflecting strong demand from dairy farmers. The sector performed well in the early part of the year, though there are fewer active buyers now that milk prices are falling.

The strength of competition and prices achieved continues to vary widely between and within regions. So it is essential to market properties effectively, with a sensible pricing strategy, to generate interest. Some of the best results from this year have gone under offer within the first few days of their launch, often with competitive bidding leading to a sale price agreed in excess of the guide price.

There are fewer natural capital-focused buyers active in the marketplace. Their interest could pick back up once the long-delayed Land Use Framework is published and more Local Nature Recovery Strategies are completed. We know development activity can have a positive impact on farmland prices, and here progress is more encouraging as the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, intended to get Britain building and deliver economic growth, is moving into the latter stages of its parliamentary journey.

Further information

Contact Andrew Teanby or Charlie Paton