Average land values have eased back slightly, but headline figures mask a wide range of outcomes. We have agreed sales at around £15,000 per acre for exceptional farms in popular locations, while more secondary land in remote areas, with no amenity or strategic appeal, has been agreed at closer to £8,000 per acre. This reflects an increasingly polarised market.
The first half of 2026 has been a tale of two quarters. Supply was slow to emerge early in the year, with prolonged wet weather during January and February delaying planned launches. The outbreak of war in the Middle East (28th February) then added to an already uncertain geopolitical backdrop, encouraging both buyers and vendors to take stock before committing. A late flurry of farms came forward during the second quarter, giving buyers more choice. While this has helped supply recover from its slow start earlier in the year, the volume of land being marketed remains about 20% below the level seen at the same point in 2025.
Growing conditions during the first half of 2026 were highly variable across England, with moisture stress affecting crops during key growth stages and yield expectations becoming increasingly dependent on soil type and local rainfall patterns. A dry spring across much of England increased pressure on crops, and while June rainfall improved prospects in some situations, production uncertainty remained a key consideration for many farming businesses.