Savills reports 24% drop in land put on the market in North

New analysis from Savills shows that 23,200 acres of farmland (based on farms over 50 acres) were publicly marketed across the North in 2025, compared with 30,300 acres in 2024 – a 24% decrease.

This contrasts with a 13% fall in supply across England as a whole, reflecting a sharper‑than‑average contraction in the region.

Even so, Savills says the North remained a major contributor to national availability, accounting for 19% of all farmland marketed in England during the year.

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The Savills Farmland Value Survey indicates that prime arable land values in the North of England rose by 3.2% in 2025 to an average of £11,600 per acre.

The survey reported the uplift in average values was a reflection of best in class sales of prime land, highlighting the region’s continued appeal to both farming and non‑farming buyers.

County‑level data shows varied but sustained activity across northern counties.

In 2025, North Yorkshire remained the largest contributor with 5,512 acres brought to market, followed by Cumbria with 3,927 acres, Cheshire with 2,804 acres, and Lancashire with 2,447 acres.

Further supply came from Northumberland (3,693 acres), East Riding of Yorkshire (2,783 acres), with many other northern counties only recording total acres in the hundreds put to the market.

These figures reflect both the structural diversity of the region’s farming landscape and the differing motivations behind sales, including retirement, succession, operational restructuring and shifting policy dynamics – trends echoed across the UK farmland market.

Will Douglas, Director and head of farm agency for Savills across the North of England, said: “Despite a tightening in supply, the North of England farmland market remained remarkably resilient in 2025.

“We saw strong competition for well‑located commercial farms and high‑quality arable land, which is reflected in the uplift in values.

“Demand continues to come from a wide range of buyers – from progressive farming families to investors and strategic land buyers seeking long‑term opportunities.

“Looking ahead, confidence across the region remains remarkably positive, and we expect the market to stay active as greater clarity continues to emerge around policy and land‑use priorities.”

Across Great Britain, Savills recorded a 12% fall in publicly marketed farmland year on year, with average farmland values dipping by around 1%, and farmers continuing to represent the largest buyer group at 45%, with most buying to expand.

Despite short‑term fluctuations, Savills anticipates that farmland values will remain broadly firm before returning to steady growth, driven by long‑term demand for land for food production, environmental markets, renewable energy and development potential.

Andrew Teanby, Director Savills Rural Research said of the national picture: “We expect farmland values to remain broadly firm through the next two years before entering a phase of steady growth as policy clarity improves and profitability prospects stabilise.

“This is based on the finite nature of farmland and growing competition for this resource for food production as well as environmental markets, development, and renewable energy.”