The French Forest Market
(sources fnsafer, insee, terres d’europe-scafr (study 2008)
The key figures
About 1% of the French forest is sold every year Over 90% of the transactions deal with forests of less than 25 ha.
The market of forests of over 50 ha represents alone 55 600 ha sold in 2008, for a value of 617 million euros.
In 2008, the markets of forests (developed and undeveloped) was particularly buoyant. It exceeded the
threshold of 118 000 hectares for a value of 1bn 353 million euros.
The market structure
According to the data given by the Ministry of Agriculture, the French forest covers a 14 800 000 ha, i.e. 27%
of the national territory. Private forests represent 74% of the whole surface i.e. 10 900 000 hectares.
The market is spread between developed and undeveloped forests. Whereas undeveloped properties represent about 80% of the number of transactions and forest surface, their value is only 43% of that of the whole market.
The fact that the forest is developed weighs considerably on its sale price.
| Developed properties |
Undeveloped properties |
Total | |
| Number of transactions |
2514 |
11705 |
14219 |
| Forest surface in hectares |
25412 |
92606 |
118118 |
| Values in Million euros |
855 |
498 |
1353 |
Who are the buyers of undeveloped forests?
> Non farming individuals are the largest buyers of forests, realising 58% of transactions.
The part of joint possessions is 4%.
Farmers represent 18%.
The part of individuals represent 20%.
> Distribution of buyers by age
| Number |
Surface |
Value | |
| Under 30 |
7 % |
3 % |
3 % |
| 30 to 40 |
16 % |
13 % |
14 % |
| 40 to 50 |
27 % |
28 % |
30 % |
| 50 to 60 |
28 % |
32 % |
34 % |
| over 60 |
22 % |
23 % |
19 % |
The average age of forest buyers is 48.8 years.
Who are the sellers of undeveloped forests?
> Non farming individuals are the largest sellers of forests; they represent 61% of sellers.
The part of joint possessions is 24%.
Farmers represent 5%.
The part of individuals is 10%
> Distribution of sellers by age
| Number |
Surface |
Value | |
| Under 40 |
4 % |
3 % |
3 % |
| 40 to 50 |
9 % |
13 % |
14 % |
| 50 to 60 |
19 % |
19 % |
28 % |
| Over 60 |
68 % |
65 % |
55 % |
The average age of forest sellers is 65.7 years.
What is the price of an undeveloped forest?
The average price of an undeveloped forest per hectare is 5 380 euros, all surfaces taken into account.
- the average price of an undeveloped forest of 1 to 10 ha per ha is 6170 euros.
- the average price of an undeveloped forest of more than 10 ha per hectare is 5090 euros.
This average price hides significant differences from one forest to another. The price per hectare can vary
by a factor of 12, from 740 € to more than 8 800 €.
