Rural Land Market Survey 2018

RICS H2 2018 – Demand continues its decline while supply holds steady; Rents rise for both arable and pasture farmland

The H2 2018 RICS/RAU Rural Land Market Survey shows a continued softening of activity, with Brexit uncertainty likely the key factor.

Demand has continued to decrease, while supply has remained steady for a second consecutive report, after suffering sharp declines in 2017.

The majority of purchases were made by individual farmers (65%), with lifestyle buyers accounting for 18% and 14% made to agricultural businesses and institutional investors.

Average arable land rents were up by 3% in H2, which is an increase of 6% on H2 in 2017. Rents for pasture land were up 12% year on year.

Source: RICS,