The average price of land recorded in Kerry dropped slightly in 2019, following an increase in 2018. It has held above the €7,500/ac mark for four years now and the average for 2019 was €7,606/ac. This represents a 3.6% fall on the previous year.

The number of acres recorded on the market has also fallen to 1,353ac, down from over 2,000ac the year before. Almost 800ac were sold in Kerry during 2019.

Normally, Kerry would see a number of large farms on the market. However, there was just one sale over 100ac recorded in 2019. The 110ac Whitefield Farm in Beaufort sold when it went under the hammer for just under €2m. It was sold by the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood, who received the farm as a donation in the 1960s. It is understood that the buyer is a business person.

Dairy farmers are increasingly active in Kerry, accounting for some 45% of sales in 2019. Business buyers and beef farmers are also active purchasers in Kerry.

Of all the transactions recorded, almost 40% were over €8,000/ac. These were in areas like Tralee, Listowel and Beaufort. Indeed, the weighted average of €8,361/ac reflects this.

Another notable sale included that of 32ac at Tanavalla in Listowel, which sold under the hammer for just over €9,800/ac to a dairy farmer. Meanwhile, a 54ac farm in Moyvane sold at auction for over €6,700/ac to the farmer that had previously been renting the land. Auctions are not popular in Kerry, with just six of the 30 properties placed on the market going to auction.

Vital statistics

*Average: €7,606/ac

Acres offered: 1,353

Total number of farms: 30

Price range: €1,515/ac - €17,500/ac

Most active buyers: Dairy

Weighted average: €8,361/ac

*Based on 21 transactions