Land Prices On The Rise

The price of agricultural land is still rising. Prices rose by an average of 5% an acre last year, a fairly modest increase.

The latest report from the Irish Farmers Journal has found the most expensive land is along the east coast, with the highest prices sought in Dublin at around 25 and a half thousand euro per acre.

Having a derelict house on a site can also boost its price by around 100 thousand euro, depending on how strict local authority planning laws are.

The Irish Farmers Journal Agricultural Land Price Report analysis of the land market across the island of Ireland reveals an increase of 5% recorded in the price of land in the Republic of Ireland.

The report, in association with Ifac, breaks down land sales in each county, with comprehensive data on the average price of land sold in the four provinces from 2015 - 2024.

95,711 acres were placed for sale in 2024, up from 66,778 ac in 2023.

The biggest increase was in Co. Meath where an acre rose to more than 17 and a half thousand Euro last year.

The figures in the Land Price Report also found derelict houses can now add an extra 100 thousand Euro or more to land sales, depending on how strict the local county council is on planning.

Key findings from this year's report:

• Land prices rise 5% along with buyer confidence
• Highest land prices were in Dublin, followed by counties Wexford, Meath, Louth and Laois
• The biggest increase in price was in Co Meath
• The lowest average land price last year was in Co Leitrim followed by Mayo and Donegal
• Prices fell from recent highs in counties Cork, Donegal, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Wicklow
• Farmland prices in Northern Ireland continue to be significantly higher than the Republic, with prices rising by 6.8% last year The highest price was Co Armagh, followed by counties Down, Tyrone and Antrim
• Derelict houses can now add €100,000 or more to land sales, depending on how strict the local county council is on planning