Ground

ABN Amro expects that agricultural land that becomes available due to livestock farmers who are participating in the Lbv and Lbv+ who are ceasing their activities will lead to an increase in the arable farming area in 2026. 

Minister Femke Wiersma is angry about the fall of the Schoof cabinet. She calls it 'very disappointing' and even 'reprehensible'. The agricultural organisations are also disappointed and for once unanimous. Yet a fallen cabinet is by no means gone or played out.

Lately I see the discussion increasing whether we can save nature by focusing on what is called in English 'land-sparing' or on 'land-sharing'? The reason for the flare-up of the discussion is the growing awareness that sufficient food must be produced worldwide to feed all mouths. Intensive agriculture and the environment are often presented as opposites. As if both are impossible at the same time.

The price of agricultural land in the Netherlands has risen sharply again in 2024. On average, €85.300 was paid for a hectare of arable, grass or silage maize land, according to the annual report on agricultural real estate of the NVM. This is 8,3% more than a year earlier. The continuing scarcity on the land market, in combination with extra demand from livestock farming, is causing strong price pressure. According to the NVM, it is striking that dairy farms are being sold remarkably quickly. 

Canadian farmland prices rose by an average of 2024% in 9,3. While this is a slightly more moderate increase than in 2023, growth is still above the five- and ten-year average. Prices have risen particularly sharply in the province of Saskatchewan, with an increase of 13,1%. Price growth in 2025 may be slowed by the trade war between Canada and the United States. 

The average agricultural land price in the Netherlands rose by 8,8% in the last quarter of 2024, according to new figures from the Land Registry. This is in line with the increase over the whole of last year. The prices of arable land are now well above €100.000. The price for grassland rose sharply, but is still a third lower. In Groningen, South Holland and Zeeland, considerably more had to be paid for land.

A decline in the prices of grain corn, soybeans and wheat is putting pressure on land prices in the United States. Livestock farmers have had a good year. In the long term, farmers and analysts remain positive. Increased uncertainty among farmers is also not helping the situation.

Although both the US central bank Fed and the European Central Bank (ECB) have both lowered interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point this month, the differences between the United States and the eurozone are greater than ever. Edin Mujagić, economist and manager of investment fund Hoofbosch, explains to presenter Eric de Lijster the causes of the divergence in economic and financial developments.

The prices of agricultural land continue to rise. This makes purchasing land feasible and responsible for an ever smaller group of entrepreneurs. Arjan Ausma, land agent and business advisor at Farmers Funding & Advies, gives his view on the land market. He also explains why you should not think in advance: 'I cannot finance this'.