Cork: strong milk prices drove on land market

The market for farmland was very strong in Co Cork last year.

Prices averaged €15,485/ac, an increase of 12% on 2024.

The stronger prices were seen all over – in the west, east and north of the county. The general price trend in the county has been upwards for the past six years.

This reflects dairy expansion, good milk prices over the past two years, extra demand around Cork city and strong general business activity in the county. Supply of land for sale was probably down slightly last year.

200 farms

Our survey looked at 200 farms and holdings which were offered on the market, with a total of 9,863ac – both figures down from the previous year.

Calculations were done on 51 farms which had sold by year end and met the required criteria. Selling prices varied from a minimum of €3,766/ac to a maximum of €30,000/ac.

Business buyers

Dairy farmers continued to be the main buyers, followed by the broad category of business buyers.

Among notable sales, CCM, Brady Group and Hodnett Forde sold farms by private treaty at top prices.

Hodnett Forde sold a 157ac residential farm at Ballynoe, Minane Bridge, by private treaty for a price in the region of €3.3m.

Dick Barry and Son, Danial Fleming and David Keane Auctioneers also had successful private treaty sales.

There were a small number of auctions. CCM sold 32.3ac of tillage land near Ballycotton for €680,000, or over €21,000/ac. The buyer was a dairy farmer. Wilsons and GVM also held successful auctions.