Further evidence of the bullish outlook for English farmland values is contained in the latest flush of reports by agents, with one claiming prices have a reached a record high.


Limited supply and increasing demand are providing a solid base and a good springboard for the market, they say.

Knight Frank reckons the effect is so strong it drove the market to a new high in the final quarter of 2009.

The average price rose 3% between October and December to £5123/acre as more buyers fought to secure fewer acres, according to latest figures from the firm's Farmland Index. This opinion indicator is based on Knight Frank's and other companies' sales and valuations around the UK.

Annual growth hit 6.8%, taking values £23/acre above the previous high recorded in the second quarter of 2008.