LAKELAND, FL, March 16, 2026 – Florida’s land market remains one of the nation’s most dynamic, attracting significant interest from developers and investors as activity across the state continues to grow.
At the same time, rising capital costs and longer entitlement timelines forced buyers to underwrite deals with greater discipline, according to the newly released Lay of the Land® Market Report from Saunders Land, a division of Saunders Real Estate.
The Lay of the Land Market Report is the definitive guide to understanding Florida property values, real estate trends, and growth opportunities.
The report shows that demand for land remains strong across Florida. In 2025, however, buyers became more selective, particularly for large-acreage properties, as higher capital input costs and longer entitlement timelines reshaped deal structures and timing. Well-positioned properties continued to transact at strong per-acre values when pricing aligned with current market expectations. The data signals a clear shift toward fundamentals-driven activity statewide.
“Florida’s land market is evolving, not slowing,” said Dean Saunders, Founder and Managing Director of Saunders Real Estate. “Capital remains strong, particularly in farmland, ranchland, transitional land, and conservation transactions. Florida’s long-term growth drivers are firmly in place. What has changed is discipline. Today’s market rewards realistic pricing, and well-positioned properties continue to perform at strong levels.”
The Lay of the Land® Market Report continues to serve as the single source compiling verified Florida land sales data to evaluate market trends throughout the year. Drawing from confirmed transactions across the state, the report highlights how each major land category performed in 2025. Key findings include:
Farmland Remains Stable and Income-Driven
Productive farmland continued to demonstrate resilience, with more than 32,725 acres sold across 74 transactions totaling roughly $279 million. Average pricing moderated to approximately $8,780 per acre, a decline of about 16% year over year, reflecting market normalization following several years of strong agricultural land appreciation. Despite the adjustment in pricing, activity remained strong in Central and South Florida, where specialty crops and established operations continued to support long-term value.
Ranchland Demand Drives Higher Per-Acre Prices Despite Fewer Large Deals
Sales of large ranch properties declined in number, but pricing strengthened. Average per-acre values for ranch and pastureland reached approximately $10,189 per acre, representing an increase of roughly 22% year over year, reflecting strong demand and limited inventory for large-scale holdings. Overall ranchland sales volume exceeded $357 million in 2025, with approximately 38,348 acres transacted across 96 verified transactions.
Saunders Land reported over $218 million in transaction volume for Florida ranchland properties over 500 acres that sold in 2025.
Transitional Land Leads Overall Sales Volume
Transitional land, including development and infrastructure-driven acquisitions, recorded the highest overall sales volume of any land category in 2025, with more than $1.06 billion in transactions across 25,172 acres. Major transactions included large mixed-use and solar-related land acquisitions across Central and South Florida, underscoring the continued influence of population growth and infrastructure expansion on land demand.
Citrus and Agricultural Conversion Trends Continue
While the citrus sector remains challenged, several transactions reflected ongoing land use transitions, with some groves converting to alternative crops or development-ready sites. Citrus land sales totaled approximately $204.8 million statewide across 17,754 acres, with average pricing around $13,788 per acre, a decline of roughly 5% year over year, as pricing continued to be influenced heavily by development potential and infrastructure proximity.
According to Saunders Land's Lay of the Land Market Report, over 17,000 acres of citrus were sold in Florida throughout 2025.
Conservation and Solar Continue to Influence Land Values
Conservation transactions remained a major component of the market, with over 160,000 acres protected through 150 transactions totaling approximately $670 million. Meanwhile, utility-scale solar acquisitions accounted for more than 17,000 acres and roughly $157 million in sales, reinforcing solar as a competing land use shaping negotiations statewide.
Overall, Saunders Real Estate brokered more than $1.07 billion in transactions in 2025 across the U.S. Southeast.
The Lay of the Land Market Report, now in its sixteenth year, compiles verified transaction data and market analysis across Florida’s agricultural, conservation, transitional, and development land sectors, offering one of the most comprehensive annual assessments of land values in the state.
You can access the full report below.
DOWNLOAD The LAY OF THE LAND MARKET REPORT
About Saunders Real Estate
Saunders Real Estate is a leading land and commercial real estate brokerage serving buyers, sellers, investors, and landowners across the Southeastern United States for 30 years. With over 100 advisors and offices in major U.S. markets including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, we specialize in large-acreage land transactions, commercial property sales and leasing, and property management.
To reflect our legacy and continued growth, Saunders Real Estate operates through two divisions – Saunders Land and Saunders Commercial. Our expertise spans agriculture, conservation, recreation, residential development, and commercial real estate, supported by specialized services such as forestry, land management, and investment acquisitions.
Today, Saunders Real Estate is recognized as a trusted authority in the region, delivering exceptional results through experienced leadership, innovative strategies, and a client-focused approach.