Dairy Sector Drives Strong Rural Property Market Activity in NZ
The latest data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) reveals a mixed rural property market due to consistent inflation concerns.
There was an 18.9% increase in farm sales for the three months ending August 2024 compared to the same period in 2023
Farm sales are on the rise. According to recent data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ), there was an 18.9% increase in farm sales for the three months ending August 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
However, this was still a 10% decrease on the 231 sales recorded for the three months ending July 2024.
In total, 923 farms were sold in the year to August 2024, a decline of 166 farms compared to the previous year.
Overall, the REINZ All Farm Price Index showed stability, with a slight decrease of 2.1% in the three months leading up to August compared to July.
The three months leading to August 2023 marked a 3.2% decline.
REINZ rural spokesman Shane O’Brien says that despite the headwinds currently faced by the rural sector, it is encouraging to see sales levels reach the same levels of the past two years, with 57 sales recorded in August 2024 compared to 55 in August 2022 and 51 in August 2023.
“August is traditionally a slow month for sales as many sellers wait for the warmer spring months and the traditionally busier selling months of October to December,” O’Brien says.
“Many agents across the country are reporting increased enquiries during the month, with many tipping, so there could be some renewed confidence among buyers towards the dairy and dairy support sectors of the market,” he says.
For the three months ending August 2024, the median sales price per hectare for dairy farms was $36,930, compared to $35,705 for the three months ending July 2024 and $35,960 for the three months ending August 2023. The median price per hectare for dairy farms has increased by 2.7% over the past 12 months.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
Meat Industry Association data, released alongside the Red Meat Sector conference in Wellington, shows export value climbing across the US, China, UK and Canada.
Applications are set to open for the 2027 Zanda McDonald Award, a trans-Tasman award recognised for identifying and fast-tracking talented young leaders in agriculture and agribusiness.
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network are calling for investment in a proposed new training pathway for rural GPs, warning that many rural practices are struggling to recruit while a large share of the existing workforce nears retirement.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Synlait has swung to second-half profit as operations stabilise, but the dairy processor still posted a $75.4m annual loss.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.