Who Owns the Field? Three Countries, Three Answers - Eastern Germany’s farmland debate exposes investor loopholes and divided policies
Debate is growing over the regulation of agricultural land in eastern Germany. Critics warn that share deals allow investors to control vast areas without proper oversight. Meanwhile, state governments remain divided on whether stricter rules are needed.
In Thuringia, officials have ruled out revisiting an agricultural structure law. Past proposals were scrapped due to fears they would limit farms' business freedom and raise constitutional concerns. The state currently sees no reason to change its stance.
In Saxony-Anhalt, the Ministry of Agriculture downplays the impact of share deals on farming structures. Instead, it highlights a soil fund designed to support agricultural development. However, the Left Party faction and the Working Group on Peasant Agriculture have criticised the sale of Deutsche Agrar Holding to an Australian fund. This deal handed the investor control over more than 20,000 hectares of land.
Saxony's Ministry of Agriculture and its state farmers' association also see no immediate need for action. They argue that rising land prices stem mainly from state-influenced plots rather than share transactions. Despite this, policymakers across the region continue to discuss possible regulations, such as mandatory reporting or ownership limits.
Arable land in eastern Germany remains scarce and costly. Competition is intensifying between agricultural businesses and outside investors, pushing prices higher.
For now, no state in the region has concrete plans to tighten rules on share purchases. The focus remains on existing measures, like Saxony-Anhalt's soil fund, while critics push for greater transparency. The debate reflects broader tensions over land ownership and investment in agriculture.
