Agrifrance*, a specialist division of BNP Paribas Wealth Management (a SME Finance Forum member), has published its special report on France’s rural land market, this year comparing it with the market in Britain. 

The main findings of the report:

1. Agricultural land in the United Kingdom occupies 17.3 million hectares, versus 26 million hectares in France. With an equal population, there are half as many farms in Britain as in France.
2. The United Kingdom nevertheless remains a major agricultural country. In Europe, it is the leading beef producer and ranks third for wheat or dairy.
3. Forest covers only 13% of the territory or 3.1 million hectares, compared with 30% in France or 17 million hectares. As a result of a forestry incentive policy, timber prices are rising and demand for timber is strong. 
4. Vineyards, with 2,000 hectares planted, obviously take up less land than in France, which has 786,000 hectares planted, but they have recently attracted a great deal of attention.