Australia’s rural property market is gathering momentum, with surging red meat prices, improving seasonal conditions, and renewed buyer confidence driving activity across multiple sectors.
LAWD Senior Director Col Medway said the red meat sector in South Australia was currently the standout performer, especially compared with dryland cropping enterprises.
“A tonne of wheat is worth about the same amount as a really good lamb,” Mr Medway said
“And there's a lot of costs there, so that puts it in a bit of perspective, that the red meat sector is certainly really starting to gather some momentum.”
LAWD Senior Director Col Medway. Pic: Supplied
Mr Medway noted that strong forecasts for both beef and lamb were underpinning renewed demand.
“If lamb values can stay north of $10, then that business model is looking pretty strong, and we are certainly seeing a little bit more inquiry due to that,” he said.
“We’ve got a nice position for the Australian beef industry too, with really strong prices and really strong turnoff, so that’s a nice way to be.”
Raine & Horne Rural SA Director Paul Clifford agreed that rising red meat prices and improved seasonal conditions had helped the rural property market turn a corner.
Raine & Horne Rural SA Director Paul Clifford. Pic: Supplied
“About a week and a half ago, the phone certainly got busy again,” he said.
“Everyone can see red meat prices are surging, the season’s improving, and interest rates look steady.
“Last year was challenging, and this year has had a slow start, but confidence is back.
“Rural property is a long game, and I feel like there’s something in the water right now.”
Mr Clifford said more listings were now coming through, with strong interest from local operators and lifestyle investors looking to capitalise on the buoyant livestock market.
He said standout offerings included Dalveen East and Dalveen Homestead in South Australia.
Dalveen East, South Australia. Pic: Supplied
“This property (Dalveen East) is perfect for those seeking to upscale, diversify, or lay down rural roots - with convenient access to metropolitan city essentials by way of Strathalbyn and Mount Barker,” Mr Clifford said.
According to Mr Medway, buyer sentiment, particularly north of Dubbo and on the east coast, was slowly but noticeably improving.
“There’s a bit more liquidity coming into the market,” he said.
“I wouldn't say it's a rush, but you can certainly tell the sentiment is turning and people are starting to get themselves ready, talking to a number of banks, for when they find the right property.”
READ MORE: 1,000 ML high priority water entitlement up for auction at Bundaberg
While northern markets remain strong, Mr Medway cautioned that seasonal conditions had weighed heavily further south.
“Anywhere north of Dubbo really hasn't taken a breath, but certainly south of Dubbo into Southern NSW and into Victoria and South Australia, that's been impacted by the seasonal conditions.”
In Western Australia, Raine & Horne Rural Great Southern Principal John Hetherington said confidence was slowly returning to the market, with farmers and corporate buyers showing renewed interest despite nerves about sheep prices edging higher.
“The overall sentiment has lifted across cattle, cropping, and mixed farming, with steady enquiry levels flowing through,” he said.
“While conditions aren’t as frenzied as two years ago, demand is solid right across the board. “Farmers and corporates are active, and there’s a bit more positivity in the air.”
Colliers National Director of Transaction Services and Agribusiness Duncan McCulloch said the market had proved resilient, with strong sales and investor demand continuing across several key sectors.
“There's still solid demand for quality large-scale cropping and mixed grazing enterprises," he said.
“We recently sold The Oaks in Western Australia for over $50 million. We've also just sold a property called Mineral Banks in North East Tasmania for upwards of $30 million.”
The Oaks, Western Australia. Pic: Supplied
Mr McCulloch also noted that institutional interest in poultry was surging.
“Poultry is a sector that's in hot demand at the moment, particularly on the back of KKRs $1 billion-plus acquisition of ProTen,” he said.
“We have a couple of poultry assets on the market right now and we are receiving solid demand from institutional-type buyers.”
Looking ahead, Mr McCulloch expects offshore capital and rate cuts to drive momentum.
“There is a massive amount of offshore inquiry looking into our assets and doing a lot of due diligence at the moment,” he said.
“We think we're going to see a lot of deployment of this capital early in the new year.
Kylie Dulhunty is a journalist with more than 20 years experience covering everything from court to health. Today, Kylie loves nothing more than turning market trends, industry insights and epic property sales - residential, rural and commercial into captivating stories.
