Poor weather, increasing fertiliser prices and dairy prices in the doldrums haven’t dampened demand for leasing land in 2026, but a limited supply remains a challenge say auctioneers.
“It’s one of the quietest years I can recall,” said John Hodnett of Clonakilty-based Hodnett Forde Property Services
“The supply didn’t come near the demand, mainly because there are so many farms tied up in long-term leases. However, we’ve done a number of first-times leases and they have commanded high prices. Across contrasting land types, we’ve got anything from €220/ac to €495/ac. Generally, the smaller the acreage the higher the price.
He added that where there is a good relationship between landlord and tenant, they’re renewing and not going to the market.
“We’d have a lot of five or seven year [leases] and once they’re happy and they’ll drive on.”
In the Dungarvan area, Margaret Harty also reported strong demand.
“Things are a bit slower this year with weather. Prices I would feel, are on a par with last year. If it’s good dairy land, you’re talking from €300/ac to €450/ac and beyond in some cases.
"It’s hard to get new land. In general, the leases just roll over. The vast majority are renegotiated with the existing tenant.
"We’re short of land to an extent, but in the previous two years we’d have seen an appreciable increase in the volume of land for leasing in both years, but not this year.”
It’s mainly renewals that Pat Dooley of REA Dooley in Limerick is dealing with.
“There’s not a lot of new land available for leasing with people opting for long-term leases due to the tax breaks. When it comes to money, good land in Limerick with good access and slatted units is making €350/ac to €390/ac and possibly more on occasion.
It’s a similar tale further up the country as Elliott Potterton of REA TE Potterton in Trim reported very little new land coming to the market.
“I’ve completed two new leases for 10 and 15 years respectively and a handful of five-year leases, but there is very little new land available.”
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