Farm Values in Western Canada

Farm Credit Canada's semi-annual farmland values report has just been published.

Source: Farm Credit Canada

The report shows softer increases overall, with three exceptions. Alberta has been strong, demand for premium land in Saskatchewan remains strong, and British Columbia is very soft. According to Farm Credit Canada, higher fuel and fertilizer costs, tighter margins, and trade and tariff uncertainty are making buyers more selective. In many areas, that has weighed on both land values and demand.

Alberta: the strongest market in Western Canada

Cultivated farmland values rose 5.3% in the first half of 2026 and 9.4% year over year. Alberta is now the most resilient province in Canada, with growth only 2 percentage points below its peak. The North and Peace regions saw the most sales and the largest gains. In Southern Alberta, dryland sales stayed limited, but irrigation continues to drive land values and is lifting nearby dryland acres.

Saskatchewan: steady, with premium land in demand

Values rose 2.6% in the first half and 6.7% year over year, a slower pace than in recent years. Limited sales kept values close to earlier levels across much of the province, as producers remained cautious about higher input costs, tighter margins, trade uncertainty and variable weather. West Central posted the strongest gain, supported by higher-quality land.

British Columbia: very soft

BC was the only province to decline down 1.9% in the first half and 3.9% year over year. Demand in the Cariboo-Chilcotin stayed strong despite few sales. On the South Coast and Vancouver Island, values are stabilizing but longer selling times and more listings continue to hold prices down.

The bottom line

Canada's farmland market remains resilient, but buyers are more selective. Demand is strongest for productive, well-located land, and momentum has shifted toward the Prairies, especially Alberta. If you're thinking about selling in Western Canada, local conditions matter more than ever, and our team at Farm Real Estate is more than happy to talk through what this means for your land.

This article was prepared with input from AI and reviewed by Ben Van Dyk. Source data: Farm Credit Canada, 2026 mid-year farmland values report.