2019 was a challenging year in the agricultural land market with poorer sentiment affecting values, according to estate agent Sherry FitzGerald.
Agricultural land prices nationally, excluding Dublin, fell by 3% in 2019, according to the latest data from Sherry FitzGerald research.
Following a 1.2% drop in the final quarter of the year, the weighted average price of farmland in Ireland, excluding Dublin, was approximately €9,000/ac.
Last year was particularly difficult for the farming industry with a broad range of factors impacting the sector, with this subsequently feeding into activity in the land market.
The significant decline in cattle prices, which saw large-scale protests, hit demand, with prime grassland values recording the largest fall of any of the farm types.
Agents also cited Brexit as a contributing factor. The passing of two cliff-edge Brexit deadlines in 2019 negatively affected sentiment in the farming sector at large and this had a knock-on effect in the land market.
Reflecting this, all regions noted some reduction in values in the year.
These falls were more modest in areas such as the south-east and the mid-east, and more accelerated in the west and midlands.
Land values remained highest in the mid-east where the average price per acre was approximately €10,750 and lowest in the west at €5,800/ac.
Land types
Of the main land types, prime grassland values saw the largest decline in the year, reflecting the problems faced by the beef sector, the research found.
Other land types, namely prime arable and marginal grassland – basically poorer quality grassland – were steadier, although both recorded a fall of 2.0% and 2.1% respectively.
At year-end, the average weighted price of prime arable land nationally stood at €11,000/ac and €6,000/ac for marginal grassland.
Factors
Last year, agents noted a weakening in buyer sentiment nationally, although this appears to have taken place largely nearer to the start of 2019.
By year end, sentiment appeared to have stabilised with even some improvement noted in the south-east and mid-east.
Corresponding with the overall deterioration in sentiment in the year, agents did note some drop back in supply and activity in the market also.
Commenting on the overall market, Philip Guckian, associate director, Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes, Farms and Estates, said:
While 2019 was a challenging year for the land market, due to Brexit and beef prices, amongst other factors, the year closed with some signs of stability, particularly concerning sentiment.
“It is hoped that this steadying in confidence amongst buyers will filter into prices as 2020 progresses.”