News Land market
Three quarters of farmers think the supply of land is too small
About 72% of farmers indicate that there is insufficient land available to expand. This is shown by research by Boerenbusiness† There are, however, clear differences in regions. The difference between Flevoland and Friesland, for example, is remarkable.
The survey, in which more than 1.000 agricultural entrepreneurs from all over the Netherlands participated, shows that 728 (72%) of them think that there is insufficient land available. In the province of Flevoland in particular, farmers feel that there is too little land available. More than 90% indicate that there is a shortage. Also in the provinces of Gelderland (80%) and Groningen (81%) a relatively large proportion of farmers find it difficult to obtain land in the short term.
Better offer in Friesland
It is remarkable that the demand for land is the least in the province of Friesland. 60% think that there is too little land available. This while this province lies exactly between the provinces of Groningen and Flevoland, where the land shortage is greatest.
The most obvious reason for this is that there is more dairy farming in Friesland, while more arable farmers are represented in Flevoland and Groningen. When asked, broker Marten Groothof indicates that this may indeed be a reason. “The supply of land in Friesland is there. This is partly due to the problems surrounding the peat meadow areas and the problems with business succession. The fired PAS also creates a lot of uncertainty.”
Cheaper in Friesland
"Due to the greater supply in Friesland, you can see some dairy farmers from the polder buying land in South Friesland. That is also simply because the land is often half cheaper. And while dairy farmers are a bit more reserved, on the other hand you see that arable farmers will continue to buy land," says Groothof.
"Apart from dairy farmers, arable farmers from Flevoland sometimes buy land in southern Friesland. This concerns the good sandy soils in Gaasterland and the region around Makkinga and Appelscha. Prices are between €45.000 and €60.000," says Groothof. "Upper Friesland, in the clay areas near Franeker and Harlingen, the land price is sometimes around €70.000 to €75.000 per hectare. Prices are lower in the peat meadow areas."
Large part finds land supply too small
In addition to Flevoland and Groningen, a large proportion of farmers in Gelderland, Utrecht and South Holland also feel that there is too little land available. It is not surprising that the land supply is experienced by many as too small, given the land area in the Netherlands quickly gets smaller† For a complete overview see the table below. The percentage indicates which part of the farmers thinks that there is insufficient land available.
| Province or State | Percentage of insufficient land available |
| Flevoland | 90% |
| Groningen | 81% |
| Gelderland | 80% |
| Utrecht | 78% |
| Zuid-Holland | 77% |
| Overijssel | 73% |
| Noord-Holland | 71% |
| Drenthe | 69% |
| Zeeland | 67% |
| Limburg | 64% |
| Noord-Brabant | 61% |
| Friesland | 60% |
Anne-Jan Doorn
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