UFU president William Irvine on his County Armagh farm. Picture: Cliff Donaldson
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) attended the launch of the Irish Farmers Journal Agricultural Land Price Report 2025 this morning, where new figures highlighted continued upward pressure on agricultural land values across Northern Ireland. The report shows that average land prices have increased again in 2025, with significant variation across counties, alongside a reduction in the amount of land being offered for sale.
Commenting on the findings, William Irvine, president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, said the figures present a complex and challenging picture for farm families. “While rising land prices may signal confidence in land as an asset, for many UFU members, they also bring real and growing pressures,” Mr Irvine said. “Access to land is becoming increasingly difficult for farmers, particularly younger farmers and those trying to expand, adapt or future-proof their businesses. When combined with reduced land availability, this is tightening the land market significantly.”
Mr Irvine said that rising land values also have serious implications in the context of recent and proposed changes to inheritance and taxation policy. “Higher land prices can increase the paper value of farm assets, but they do not improve cash flow. In the context of inheritance tax and succession planning, this can place additional strain on family farms, making generational transfer more complex and, in some cases, putting viable farm businesses at further risk.”
He added that the interaction between land prices, environmental policy and future agricultural support schemes must be carefully considered. “Land is not just an investment vehicle, it underpins food production, rural employment and family farming. Environmental policy and future agri-policy must be designed in a way that supports active farmers and does not inadvertently restrict land use, reduce land availability, or add further pressure through unintended tax consequences.”
The UFU president also highlighted the wider business impacts for members. “Rising land values can increase borrowing exposure, rental costs and barriers to entry, without delivering higher farm incomes. That is why we need joined-up thinking across agricultural policy, environmental regulation and the tax system.”
The Ulster Farmers’ Union said it will continue to engage with government, policymakers and industry stakeholders to ensure that future policy decisions support sustainable farm businesses, protect succession on family farms and maintain a competitive and productive agricultural sector in Northern Ireland.
