Tyrone Land Prices Reach Record Highs: What Property Owners and Buyers Need to Know in 2026
The latest Agricultural Land Price Report 2025 from the Irish Farmers Journal has revealed significant developments in the Tyrone and Northern Ireland land markets that will be of considerable interest to landowners, farmers, and prospective purchasers across the region.
Tyrone Leads the Way with 24% Price Increase
The average price paid for agricultural land in County Tyrone rose by an impressive 24% last year, increasing by £3,436 per acre to reach £17,578 per acre. This places Tyrone in third position across Northern Ireland counties for average land prices and, remarkably, fourth position across the entire island of Ireland—up from eighth place in the previous year's report.
Top prices in the county reached almost £34,000 per acre for a small block of land in south Tyrone, with another notable sale achieving close to £33,000 per acre for a larger parcel in west Tyrone. At the other end of the scale, the lowest recorded price was £7,586 per acre for heavy land in the west of the county.
Limited Supply Continues to Drive Demand
One of the most striking features of the current market is the extremely limited supply of land coming to market. Although 2,928 acres were publicly advertised for sale in Tyrone last year—representing a 30% increase on 2024 levels—this equates to just 0.6% of the county's total grassland and arable area. Across Northern Ireland as a whole, only 12,994 acres were offered for sale, representing 0.62% of the overall agricultural area. At this rate of turnover, the report notes that a given area of land will only be advertised for sale once every 161 years.
There were 107 agricultural properties offered for sale in Tyrone during 2025, with the average lot size being 27 acres. Forty percent of farms for sale were under 15 acres in size, with 27% between 16 and 30 acres, 14% in the 31 to 45 acre bracket, and 19% over 45 acres. Notably, 63% of properties were non-residential, with only 37% including a dwelling house or building site.
Northern Ireland Market Reaches Record Highs
The Northern Ireland land market continues to outperform, with the average price paid for land reaching £15,202 per acre in 2025—the highest average price recorded since the report was launched. Record highs were achieved in four of the six counties: Armagh (£22,833 per acre), Tyrone (£17,578 per acre), Antrim (£15,009 per acre), and Fermanagh (£10,380 per acre). Down and Derry noted their second-highest average prices on record at £19,109 per acre and £12,623 per acre respectively.
The report highlights that price rises have been most significant at the top end of the market, with the top 25% of land sales averaging £27,232 per acre—an increase of £4,450 per acre compared to the previous year. Smaller properties continue to command higher prices per acre, with lots under 30 acres averaging £18,045 per acre compared to £15,139 per acre for larger holdings.
Key Factors Influencing the Market
Several factors are driving continued demand in the agricultural property market. Dairy farmers and those with poultry enterprises have been particularly active purchasers, alongside individuals from farming backgrounds with successful non-farming businesses. The value of farmyards has also emerged as an important consideration, with tighter planning rules and rising construction costs increasing demand for properties with existing sheds and infrastructure.
The report also addresses the uncertainty created by proposed inheritance tax reforms during 2025. The UK Government's partial U-turn in late December 2025, raising the Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief limit to £2.5 million for individuals and £5 million for married couples, has provided welcome relief for the majority of Northern Ireland farms. That land prices continued to rise despite this uncertainty throughout the year demonstrates the long-term perspective that farmers take when purchasing land.
How PA Duffy Solicitors Can Assist
Whether you are considering selling agricultural land, purchasing property, or reviewing your succession planning arrangements in light of these market developments, our experienced property and agricultural law team at PA Duffy Solicitors is here to help. We provide comprehensive advice on all aspects of land transactions, from initial negotiations through to completion, as well as guidance on inheritance tax planning and Agricultural Property Relief.
Contact PA Duffy Solicitors today to discuss your requirements.
This article is based on findings from the Irish Farmers Journal's Agricultural Land Price Report 2025. The information provided is for general guidance only and should not be treated as legal advice.