Farmland prices rose in Wexford in 2021 to their highest levels in a decade. Supply of farmland for sale was unchanged on the previous year.

Twenty-nine farms were put up for sale in the county, down from 37 farms in 2020. However, average size of these farms was a bit bigger so the total acres offered was essentially unchanged at 1,381.

There was a dramatic increase in the number of farms going to auction. Twenty-five of the 29 farms went to auction, with three offered by private treaty and one by tender. Given the rise in average selling price, it would appear the switch to auctions worked well.

Twenty-seven of the 29 farms were sold by year end, so demand was strong. Average price for the land sold was €15,233/ac. This was up from €13,858/ac the year before.

Holdings under 40ac averaged €16,182/ac and those over 40ac made €14,211/ac. There was quite a spread in prices. The highest price was €34,286/ac for 28ac at Parknacross, Ardamine, which sold at auction by Quinn Property.

The same auctioneer got €22,376/ac at auction for 72.4ac at Rosslare and €20,196/ac at auction for 25.5ac at Moor, Killenagh. PN O’Gorman got €14,953/ac at auction for 21.4ac at Creacon, New Ross. Keane Auctioneers got €12,844/ac at auction for 27.25ac at Kilmore.

Last year saw a dramatic shift in the categories most actively buying farmland in Wexford. Two-thirds (76%) of the holdings that sold were bought by business buyers.

This group includes farmers with significant off farm income, business owners and similar investors. The remaining farms that sold were shared between tillage, beef and mixed enterprise farmers.