New USDA data highlights where foreign-owned agricultural land is located across the United States.
Foreign ownership of U.S. farmland has become a major topic of discussion in recent years. Concerns about national security and land ownership have led lawmakers and farm groups to closely examine who owns agricultural land across the country.
A new report by Bruce Sherrick and Juo-Han Tsay of the University of Illinois Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics provides a detailed look at foreign ownership patterns using data collected under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA). The researchers also introduced an interactive mapping tool that allows users to explore foreign-owned agricultural land by county, country of origin, ownership type, and land use.
AFIDA has required foreign persons or entities to report interests in U.S. agricultural land since 1978. The latest USDA report includes land ownership information through December 31, 2024.
According to the analysis, foreign interests hold reportable positions in approximately 46.3 million acres of U.S. agricultural land. However, the report notes that this figure includes several land categories, such as forestland, pastureland, cropland, and long-term leases associated with renewable energy projects.
One of the report's key findings is that foreign ownership accounts for only a small share of total U.S. farmland. When compared with total U.S. land in farms, foreign-owned land represents about 0.67%. The researchers note that many larger estimates include lease agreements and other holdings that do not represent traditional ownership or direct control of farmland.
Forestland dominates foreign-held agricultural acreage. Nearly 89% of identified foreign-owned agricultural land consists of commercial forestland. Cropland, pastureland, and other agricultural land make up a much smaller portion of total holdings.
Canada remains the leading foreign holder of U.S. agricultural land, followed by several Western European countries including Singapore, Luxembourg, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland. Together, these countries account for most foreign-owned agricultural acres.
The report also examines ownership linked to China, a topic that often receives public attention. Researchers found that direct ownership attributed to Chinese citizens represents a small share of total foreign-owned acreage. Even when affiliated entities are included, Chinese-related holdings remain a relatively small portion of all reported foreign ownership interests.
Geographically, foreign-owned agricultural land is concentrated in areas with significant commercial timber production. Texas ranks first for foreign-owned agricultural acres, followed by Michigan, Oregon, Alabama, and Maine. Many of these holdings are located in forest-rich regions such as the Gulf South, Pacific Northwest, Upper Great Lakes, and New England.
The study highlights important differences among states. In timber-producing states, foreign ownership is primarily direct ownership of forest assets. In contrast, states across the Corn Belt and Plains often report larger numbers of long-term energy leases tied to wind and solar development projects.
Ownership structures also vary. Corporations and limited liability companies account for most reported foreign holdings, while individual ownership represents only a small fraction of total acreage nationwide.
To provide greater transparency, the TIAA Center for Farmland Research developed a county-level interactive map that allows users to explore ownership trends in greater detail. The tool offers insights into where foreign-owned land is located, which countries are involved, and how land is being used.
The researchers conclude that foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land remains relatively limited compared with the nation's overall farmland base. The data suggest that public discussions on the issue can benefit from a fact-based understanding of ownership records and land use patterns. The new mapping resource provides producers, policymakers, and consumers with a clearer view of foreign agricultural land interests across the United States.
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