The selling price of forests in Corsica

Corsica is the most wooded island in the Mediterranean: with approximately 560,000 hectares of forest representing 65% of its territory, the Corsican forest cover is exceptional. The Laricio pine forests of the Vénachese and Niolo massifs, the holm oak (yeuses) groves of the coastline, the chestnut groves of Castagniccia, and the densely wooded scrubland (maquis) compose a natural heritage of unique richness. However, this forest market remains narrow and illiquid: between July 2020 and June 2025, Corsica represented only 1.0% of national forest transactions with 328 recorded sales. This low liquidity, coupled with land constraints specific to the island — complex joint ownership (indivision), local law, fragmentation of properties — explains a certain price volatility from one year to the next. As the 2025 data only covers the 1st half and involves very small numbers, it is presented strictly for information purposes.

Forest prices in Corsica

ma-propriete.fr statistics (DVF source)

In the 1st half of 2025 (partial data, to be interpreted with caution), the median price of forests in Corsica stood at €3,800/ha, down compared to the reference year 2024. Throughout 2024, the median price was €4,168/ha for 58 filtered transactions. This level, slightly lower than the national median (€4,846/ha in 2024), may seem surprising for an island with strong tourist appeal. It reflects the reality of a market dominated by small properties that are difficult to access, in massifs that are not very economically exploited, and whose silvicultural value is low despite the natural richness.

* Partial data 1st half 2025, to be interpreted with caution. Source: DVF, ma-propriete.fr processing

Evolution of the median price of forests in Corsica (2021–2025) — Source: DVF, ma-propriete.fr processing

The spectacular gap between the average price (€8,623/ha over the aggregated period) and the median price (€4,870/ha) is a sign of strong heterogeneity: a few exceptional transactions — probably properties with high tourist potential or remarkable estates — significantly pull the average upwards, while most sales involve ordinary forests at moderate prices. The price trend over the 2021–2024 period shows stabilization around €4,700–€4,800/ha, without marked growth.

Ministry of Agriculture statistics (SAFER source)

Corsica is attached by the SAFER to the "Alpes-Méditerranée-Pyrénées" forest region, whose average price is €3,750/ha in 2024. Data specific to Corsica is not published separately in the consulted SAFER reports. The comparison with this forest region is therefore for information purposes: Corsica shares with this zone a Mediterranean forest that is not very productive but rich in biodiversity, whose economic valuation remains lower than continental production forests.

Source: Safer Group, Land Prices (2022–2024). "Alpes-Méditerranée-Pyrénées" forest region.

Average forest prices — Alpes-Médit.-Pyrénées SAFER vs national average (2022–2024) — Source: Safer Group, Land Prices

Forest prices by department in Corsica

Median forest price by department — Corsica, 2024 and 2025* — Source: DVF, ma-propriete.fr processing

Statistical warning: Corsican numbers are low throughout the period (63 transactions in 2024 total, 17 in 2025 H1). All statistics presented here should be interpreted with caution. A single exceptional transaction can significantly change the indicators.

Forest selling price in Corse-du-Sud (2A)

Corse-du-Sud is home to the most highly valued forests on the island. In 2024, the median price reached €4,764/ha for 34 filtered transactions. This department concentrates the Laricio pine forests of the Coscione massif and the oak groves of Taravo, as well as properties with tourist potential in the Ajaccio hinterland. In the 1st half of 2025, the median price stood at €6,032/ha (partial data to be interpreted with caution, 8 transactions). The median surface area of 3.78 ha over the period indicates intermediate-sized properties.

⚠ Low headcount. * Partial data 1st half 2025.

Forest selling price in Haute-Corse (2B)

Haute-Corse presents the lowest forest prices on the island with a median price of €2,948/ha in 2024, confirmed in the 1st half of 2025 (€3,000/ha, 9 transactions). This price level reflects the composition of Haute-Corse forests: vast stretches of scrubland, wooded scrubland, and holm oaks in the eastern plain, often difficult to access and with low timber value. The Laricio pine forests of Castagniccia remain under-exploited. The median surface area of 3.94 ha over the period is close to that of Corse-du-Sud. The market there is less deep (144 transactions over the period).

* Partial data 1st half 2025.

Analysis methods and statistical limitations

DVF transaction analysis method used

The DVF data covers forest and wood transactions in Corsica between July 2020 and June 2025. An IQR filter is applied. The median price is the central indicator selected.

Limitations of DVF data

The Corsican forest market is particularly difficult to analyze statistically due to low numbers. DVF data excludes Forestry Groups, but also transactions under specific island notary regimes. Corsica is subject to particular land rules (SAFER right of first refusal, Corsican farming status, island urban planning rules) which can influence the volume of transactions available in the DVF dataset. The years 2020 (H2) and 2025 (H1) are partial.

Differences with SAFER statistics

SAFER does not publish statistics specific to Corsica in its consulted annual reports. The "Alpes-Méditerranée-Pyrénées" forest region to which Corsica is attached does not allow for a reliable comparison. The DVF data from ma-propriete.fr therefore constitutes the only public statistical source available on the Corsican forest market.

Conclusion

Corsica presents a paradoxical forest market: the most wooded island in the Mediterranean shows forest prices lower than the national median, due to low economic exploitation of its massifs, specific land constraints, and an illiquid market. In 2024, the median price of €4,168/ha (slightly below the national median of €4,846/ha) masks a significant gap between Corse-du-Sud (€4,764/ha), more valued thanks to its Laricio pine forest and properties with tourist potential, and Haute-Corse (€2,948/ha), whose forests remain economically under-exploited. For buyers, Corsica offers opportunities to acquire large wooded areas at relatively moderate prices, in an exceptional natural setting.

Consult our observatory of forest prices in France and our forest listings in Corsica.

Find all our articles on forest prices by region