Agricultural land most expensive in Malta, the Netherlands, and Portugal – FloralDaily

Report on Arable Land Prices and Rental Costs in the European Union 2024

Overview of Land Prices and Rental Costs

In 2024, the average price of arable land in the European Union (EU) was estimated at €15,224 per hectare, marking a 6.1% increase compared to €14,343 per hectare in 2023, according to Eurostat data. Similarly, average rental prices for arable land and permanent grassland rose by 6.4%, reaching €295 per hectare per year in 2024, up from €277 in 2023.

Variation in Land Prices Across Member States

Land prices showed significant variation across EU member states:

• Highest average arable land prices:
  1. Malta: €201,263 per hectare
  2. Netherlands: €96,608 per hectare
  3. Portugal: €76,556 per hectare
• Lowest average arable land prices:
  1. Latvia: €4,825 per hectare
  2. Lithuania: €5,590 per hectare
  3. Slovakia: €5,823 per hectare

Geographic Patterns in Rental Costs

Rental costs for arable land exhibited a different geographic distribution:

• Highest average annual rents:
  1. Netherlands: €941 per hectare
  2. Denmark: €580 per hectare
  3. Greece: €509 per hectare
• Lowest average annual rents:
  1. Slovakia: €69 per hectare
  2. Croatia: €76 per hectare
  3. Malta: €92 per hectare

Relevance to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The trends in arable land prices and rental costs have important implications for the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Affordable access to arable land is critical for sustainable agriculture and food security across the EU.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Land price dynamics affect agricultural livelihoods and rural economies, influencing employment and income in farming communities.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Land management and use impact rural development and the sustainability of communities dependent on agriculture.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – Sustainable land use practices are essential to preserve ecosystems and biodiversity, which are influenced by land ownership and rental patterns.

Data Source and Contact Information

The data presented are based on Eurostat statistics covering agricultural land prices and rents across EU member states.

For further information, please contact:

• Eurostat
• Email: estat-agri-land@ec.europa.eu
• Website: www.ec.europa.eu

© Eurostat

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article discusses arable land prices and rental costs, which are directly related to agricultural productivity and food security.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Land prices and rents impact the economic viability of farming, affecting rural economies and employment in agriculture.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Management and valuation of arable land relate to sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The wide variation in land prices and rents among EU member states points to regional economic disparities.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
   • Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities and decent job creation.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

1. Indicator for SDG 2
   • Average price of arable land per hectare (€ per hectare)
   • Average rental price for arable land and permanent grassland (€ per hectare per year)
2. Indicator for SDG 8
   • Changes in land prices and rental costs as economic indicators for agricultural sector viability.
3. Indicator for SDG 15
   • Land use data indicating sustainable management of arable land (implied through land price and rental trends).
4. Indicator for SDG 10
   • Geographic variation in land prices and rents as a measure of inequality among regions.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: floraldaily.com