The value of agricultural land extends far beyond this year’s harvest

As competition for land intensifies, the question of how Sweden’s agricultural land is used is becoming increasingly critical. Ahead of Nordic Agro Summit, speaker Emma Nilsson, Business Development Manager for Agriculture at SVEFA, highlights the need for a long-term perspective that balances production, preparedness and societal development.

A limited resource of growing importance
Agricultural land is a resource that cannot be recreated. At the same time, the same areas are expected to meet an increasing number of needs: food production, housing, infrastructure, energy generation, nature conservation and climate action. From this perspective, land use becomes a central issue – both for the future of agriculture and for society’s long-term capacity to secure its food supply.

Emma Nilsson emphasises the importance of ensuring that the most suitable land can continue to be used where it delivers the greatest benefit. This is not only about today’s returns, but also about creating profitability and confidence in the future for those who own and farm the land. As alternative uses become more numerous, decisions need to be based on a clearer understanding of which values risk being lost when agricultural land is taken out of production.

The value of land is greater than annual returns
According to Nilsson, the perspective on agricultural land needs to be broadened. Land is certainly a production resource, but it is also a long-term real asset and a strategic element of Sweden’s preparedness.

“The value can look entirely different depending on who is considering a hectare of land. For the farmer, it is a prerequisite for production. For an investor, it may be a long-term asset. For society, it may be important for food preparedness, environmental value or future development. Focusing solely on what land generates financially in a single year therefore risks creating an overly narrow picture,” says Nilsson.

Developments in the world in recent years have also made these questions more tangible. The pandemic, the war in Ukraine and a more uncertain security situation have increased awareness of the importance of domestic production and resilient food systems. Agricultural land has therefore taken on a clearer role in discussions around both preparedness and societal resilience.

New perspectives on the property market
At Nordic Agro Summit, Emma Nilsson will offer visitors new perspectives on agricultural land and the property market. The focus will be on how land values are influenced by factors that extend beyond the individual farm: political decisions, the wider global situation, preparedness considerations and growing competition for land.

Drawing on concrete market data, she aims to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of current developments. At a time when agricultural land is expected to serve an ever-growing range of needs, a long-term perspective is crucial – for agricultural profitability, for owners’ decisions and for Sweden’s ability to secure future food production.