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If you have a business story, call our business editor Leigh Robinson on 01793 501855 or email lrobinson@newswilts.co.uk


Farm prices buck the commercial market

With the price of farmland rising at its fastest pace for more than 30 years many land owners and farmers in the area are finding that their assets have more than doubled in some cases, creating a long-awaited period of stability for the industry.

That's the view of Angus Williams, agricultural and rural property expert at Withy King solicitors, who has seen a marked increase in the cost of agricultural land over the past 18 months.

And in stark contrast to falling residential and commercial property values, the average price of farmland has risen by more than 10 per cent in the first quarter of 2008.

The increase is due to farmland being in short supply in the region for a number of reasons.

Firstly with wheat prices now ranging between £160 to £200 per tonne, selling land has become less attractive compared to 18 months ago when farmers were only receiving £60 to £80 per tonne.

Agricultural land now consistently achieves in excess of £5,000 per acre with premium land prices and affluent areas often reaching up to £8,000 per acre.

Another reason for the increase in land prices is the influx of lifestyle buyers, those city traders and investors who have been using their bonuses to buy land and pursue agriculture as a lifestyle business.

Finally the recent instability in the world's financial markets has resulted in many investors transferring their wealth from stocks and shares into holdings.

Angus, pictured, said: "For the industry the increase in land prices is long awaited and with worldwide grain demands perhaps the focus will return to production rather than management.

"With market conditions being more favourable and as profits improve on grain production the price could be fuelled by the fact that less land will come to the market.

"Therefore those seizing the chance to sell are able to get a far more attractive return which in the past they would not have achieved. This is having a positive effect on the agricultural community and is very welcome.

"The recent upsurge in land values is given landowners a number of options on what to do. We are getting more and more calls asking for advice on what those options are, not only from landowners and farmers but also developers looking to secure premium plots for future development."

Withy King has a team of agriculture and rural property experts with offices at Swindon and Marlborough.

Angus can be contacted on 01793 401050 or email angus.williams@withyking.co.uk

1:00pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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