Between 2013 and 2023, the cost of renting arable land in Belgium increased by one-third, according to figures released on Monday by the statistical office Statbel.
This overall rise conceals significant differences between provinces. In 2023, Belgian farmers paid an average of €343 per hectare annually to rent arable land, and €294 per hectare for meadows. Over the past decade, these prices have risen by 33.5% and 21%, respectively.
At the provincial level, West Flanders is the most expensive, with arable land renting for an average of €431 per hectare and meadows for €456 per hectare. This is more than twice the cost compared to Luxembourg province, where arable land and meadows rent for €208 and €179 per hectare, respectively.
When examining agricultural regions, the Dunes-Polders area is the priciest, with arable land renting for an average of €468 per hectare and meadows for €427 per hectare. Conversely, the Famenne region is the least expensive, with arable land costing €176 per hectare and meadows €151 per hectare.
