By Olivier Biron, Manager, Valuations, Lyne Michaud, Senior Valuations Analyst, Farm Credit Canada

The global pandemic introduced several disruptions across the red meat, dairy, grain and oilseed supply chains. Despite the numerous challenges, the agricultural land market has shown strength as higher crop receipts and record-low borrowing costs supported strong demand for land.

Provincial Trends in Farmland Values

Throughout the country, farmland values progressed at an average of 3.7% in the first half of 2020. This increase is in line with the last 5 years’ increases, which should lead to a single-digit increase for the full calendar year. The most significant increases observed during the first half of 2020 are in New Brunswick (+6.5%), Alberta (+4.9%) and Saskatchewan (+4.2%). Other provinces recorded an increase below the national average of 3.7%.

Three observations stand out from the analysis:

  1. Even if the average results show an increase, there are also regions in most provinces that recorded no increases or small declines.
  2. The number of transactions recorded in the first 6 months of 2020 is like what has been observed in the last few years.
  3. Many of the transactions that took place this spring had been negotiated before Covid-19 rocked the economy in March 2020.

Pace of Increase in Land Values Slows

The 12 month average increase between July 2019 and June 2020 is 7.1% throughout Canada. This is slightly higher than the previous 12 month period (January 2019 to December 2019). Yet the national average is heavily influenced by results in Alberta (8.5%) and Saskatchewan (7.9%), two provinces that account for 72% of farmland. Most provinces recorded a slower pace of increase in the last 12 months than the most recent comparable period.  

Crop Receipts, Interest Rates Support Demand for Farmland

The global pandemic has had a major influence on the economy. Interest rates started falling as the Bank of Canada injected liquidity in the economy. As a result, average borrowing costs have been trending downward beginning in April, reaching an all-time low recently.

Commodity prices were undoubtedly affected by the pandemic and supply chain disruptions. Yet, crop receipts (excluding cannabis) climbed 1.6% in the first 6 months of 2020 relative to the same period in 2019.

The limited supply of farmland available in the market and producers’ confidence in the sector’s long term outlook are also key drivers of land prices.

Regional Trends Capture Local Supply & Demand Factors

In B.C., the average increase was 2.9% for the first 6 months of 2020, with an increase of 3.2% if we look at the last 12 months. Farmland values were stable throughout most regions, except for orchard/vineyards in the Okanagan region and a few areas in the North. Farmland values in Alberta were higher in most regions, with a lower increase in the Northern region.

In Saskatchewan, the strongest regional increase was observed in the eastern part of the province. The July 2019 to June 2020 increase is more significant at 7.9% overall. Farmland values moved up 2.3% in the first half of 2020 in Manitoba vs. 3.6% for the most recent 12 month period. Average increases in farmland values were similar across most regions, yet land prices appear more variable than in the past. 

In Ontario, we see that farmland values stabilize in most areas with an increase of only 0.4% in the first 6 months of 2020. The South Central and North Western regions are notable exceptions with more significant increases.

In Quebec, values are also stabilizing, albeit with some regional exceptions (for example, in Estrie), which see high demand and limited inventory. Quebec recorded an average increase of 2.6% from January 2020 to June 2020 vs. a 6.3% change from July 2019 to July 2020.

In the Atlantic provinces, we recorded a limited number of farmland sales. New Brunswick recorded the country’s largest increase at 6.5% for the first half of 2020, mainly from the southern region, where land values are also the lowest on average. We are reporting a slight increase in farmland values in PEI and no increase in Nova Scotia. PEI and New Brunswick had a considerable rise in farmland values in 2019, so prices seem to be stabilizing.

The Bottom Line

The full extent of the Covid-19 influence on farmland values is yet to be known. It could take a year or more before being able to assess its influence on economic variables that drive the farmland market. The size of the 2020 crop, foreign demand for Canadian ag commodities, interest rates and the value of the Canadian dollar are the economic variables to monitor. The economic uncertainty calls for a careful review of investment plans to identify risks and opportunities in the farmland market.