Foreign-Owned U.S. Farmland Nears 47 Million Acres
Operators in agriculture and forestry should note that foreign-held acreage has grown steadily, with forestland driving much of the increase.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Agriculture
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The USDA reported that foreign investors held 47.24 million acres of U.S. agricultural land in 2024, up about 2.34 million acres from 2023. For agricultural operators and land-dependent businesses, the figures reflect a sustained expansion of foreign ownership in the sector.
Why it matters
Foreign-held acreage has grown roughly 90% since 2010, from 24.8 million acres to 47.24 million, making foreign ownership a long-running structural feature of farmland and forestland markets rather than a one-year shift. Forestland accounts for the largest share of the increase, reflecting substantial investment by foreign-owned timber and forest products companies.
USDA data shows foreign-held agricultural acreage rose from 24.8 million acres in 2010 to 47.24 million in 2024, with 22.2 million acres in forestland and 13.7 million in cropland. The year-over-year increase in 2024 was approximately 2.34 million acres, or about 3%.
The players
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
The federal agency that administers agricultural policy and compiles the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act data on foreign ownership of U.S. farmland and forestland.
The details
Foreign investors acquire U.S. agricultural land through direct purchases and investments, and those holdings are recorded under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act, which is how USDA compiles the figures. Most of the growth since 2010 has come in forestland, where foreign-owned timber and forest products companies have made substantial investments. Cropland holdings are a smaller but still significant portion of the total, at 13.7 million acres in 2024.
Timeline
2010: Foreign investors held 24.8 million acres of U.S. agricultural land.
2023: Foreign investors held 44.9 million acres of U.S. agricultural land.
2024: Foreign investors held 47.24 million acres of U.S. agricultural land, the latest USDA figure.
Market Landscape
Foreign-held acreage reported under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act has risen steadily since 2010, with the 2024 total nearly double the 2010 level. The growth is concentrated in forestland tied to timber and forest products investors, rather than cropland alone.
Operators in agriculture, forestry, and land-dependent businesses should factor the steady rise in foreign ownership into long-term land-market and supplier planning. Those evaluating land purchases, leases, or partnerships should consult qualified counsel on disclosure and compliance obligations.
The takeaway
Foreign-held agricultural acreage has nearly doubled since 2010, and forestland now accounts for a large share of that total. Operators should track the next USDA Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act report to see whether the roughly 3% annual growth rate continues.
Further reading
For broader context on farm ownership and land markets, see the Agriculture section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Farm Equipment.
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