We assess farmland market across Britain post-Brexit

Farmers chasing quality land are active across England, Scotland and Wales, as the number of acres on the market stays relatively steady with last year.

Rollover funds and non-farmer buyers are playing a leading role in some regions, but evidence of a post-referendum effect is unclear, thought some buyers are being more cautious.

Ben Pike gathers evidence of what’s happening on the ground across Britain

See also: Brexit – market impact and outlook for farming sectors

South West

Tania Harvey, Farm agency negotiator, Stags

We have seen strong demand from farmers for local bare land. Commercial farm buyers have been few and far between and even farms in excess of 200 acres have had to be carefully lotted to find buyers.

All pre-Brexit deals are still in place and sellers have been surprised about how positive the mood is.

South East

Richard Liddiard, Partner, Carter Jonas

Best-in-class land continues to attract interest, particularly from farmers with rollover funds.

The referendum result may cause a further rush to land as a safe haven while currency and markets enter a period of turmoil. It reinforces the unique nature of land as a finite resource with special asset potential.

East Anglia

Simon Gooderham, director, Cheffins

Market caution, despite interest, appears to be leading to fewer buyers. There is an increasingly wide range of values for smaller blocks.

It is too early to predict how values will be affected by the Leave vote, but the market is finely balanced and average values will probably remain stable, at best, over the next year.

East Midlands

Robert Bloomfield Chartered surveyor, Berrys

This spring the average price for arable sales was £9,000/acre and £7,800/acre for pasture.

Local farmer buyers are being supported by rollover money. I believe there is more to come this autumn.

Banks are putting the squeeze on some farmers and there will be some retirement sales as people restructure.

West Midlands

Matthew Barker, partner, Fisher German

We have seen a growing trend of non-agricultural purchasers. A survey indicates over the past two years, 34% of land transactions exceeding 10 acres have been acquired by those with no agricultural background.

Early indications are that the market may remain largely unaffected by Brexit, but we watch with interest amid talk of more land coming to the market.

North East

Andrew Black, partner, Savills

Supply is up in Yorkshire, static in Cumbria and well down in Northumberland, with commercial farms in short supply.

The best land still achieves more than £10,000/acre and demand for amenity properties is also strong. Some poorer land, where neighbours are unable to buy, is challenging to sell. 

North West

Tony Rimmer, director, Rostons

Demand is very localised and dependent on guide price. If sensibly priced, good sales can be achieved.

The implications of Brexit have yet to settle and will lead to more caution, but I believe demand will exist, albeit with the market showing more caution than the increases in value reported in recent years.

Scotland

Simon Brown, partner, CKD Galbraith

We have continued to see a strong demand for farms that are sensibly priced, with interest locally, nationally and internationally.

The most immediate effect of Brexit is that the falling pound has helped sheep prices rise due to increased affordability for European buyers. Every cloud has a silver lining.

Wales

James Prewett, head of regional farm sales, Knight Frank

There is strong price variation in Wales. Areas reliant on agricultural purchasers have seen prices soften due to commodity price and support payment uncertainty.

Since the referendum we have seen increased activity in both instructions to sell and offers.