More than 12,000 acres of farmland have been publicly marketed in the East of England since the start of the year, according to latest research. 

The half year report from Savills also shows the average price paid per acre has dropped across all land types. However, there remains significant variation depending on location and the quality of buildings and infrastructure – with some land in the region trading above the average figure, agents have said.

According to the research, 12,263 acres of farmland has been publicly marketed in the East of England since the start of the year – accounting for 17 per cent of all farmland marketed in England to the end of June.

This compares with 14,500 acres marketed over the first six months of 2024 – a decrease of 16 per cent. The drop is broadly in line with the national picture, with 15 per cent less farmland coming to market across Great Britain since the start of the year when compared to the same period in 2024.

Meanwhile prime arable land is currently trading at an average of £9,368 an acre in the East of England – a fall of 5.5 per cent from £9,914 an acre at the end of last year. Across Great Britain as a whole the price paid for an acre of prime arable farmland has dropped by an average of 1.2 per cent to £10,100.

For Grade 3 arable, land is trading at an average of £9,061 per acre in the East of England. Although this is a fall of 2.5 per cent from £9,289 an acre at the end of last year, it is still above the national average of £8,779 an acre (a fall of 0.9 per cent on the end of last year).

Oliver Carr, associate director in the rural agency team for Savills in Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and West Suffolk, said: “The strength of competition and prices achieved continues to significantly vary depending on location, the quality of land in question and its buildings. The presence — or absence — of high-quality infrastructure is also playing a more prominent role in determining the strength of buyer interest.

“Recent sales have shown us that there are some very well-funded buyers for ‘the right thing’, but they have become increasingly discerning.

“Some recently agreed sales have achieved as much as £13,500 per acre, whilst we are aware of other parcels of land selling for less than £9,000 per acre. Although there is a widespread we are frequently achieving more than the statistical averages, showing that in some areas demand remains strong.”

Nationally, arable land is accounting for a much higher proportion of the market than usual, according to the Savills report.

In the first half of this year 49 per cent of the acreage launched nationally were predominantly arable enterprises compared to the 10-year average of 37 per cent. In total, the arable farms marketed since January cover 41,600 acres, which is the most since 2015; the average for the intervening nine years is 27,800 acres.

Ollie, who leads the rural team for Savills in Cambridgeshire, went on: “Beef and lamb prices are presently high, while cereal prices have fallen by 14 per cent over the past 18 months, and margins for combinable crops are currently low.

“This, coupled with the sharp reductions in agricultural support payments for 2025 and 2026, could be prompting arable farmers to evaluate their options, potentially leading to some sales.

“Looking ahead, the dry weather has led to an early harvest, and although yields have been affected, early reports suggest they are often exceeding expectations, so sentiment may improve.

“There are also numerous policy changes underway that affect farmers, including the inheritance tax reform legislation, which is expected soon, so that could also influence the amount of farmland launching to market in the coming months.”

Two key farms on the market with Savills include:

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