WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — The amount of U.S. farmland held by foreign entities continues to grow, although ownership varies significantly by country.
Dr. Faith Parum, deputy chief economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), joined Market Day Report to discuss the latest figures, which countries hold the largest shares, and how those investments are distributed across the country.
Foreign Interests Account for 3.6% of Agricultural Land
USDA’s 2024 report found that foreign entities held interests in about 47 million acres, representing approximately 3.6% of privately held agricultural land in the United States.
In her interview with RFD-TV, Dr. Parum emphasized that the figures include more than outright ownership. Some foreign entities hold leases or other interests in land that remains owned by American farmers and landowners.
The USDA tracks these holdings under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978, which requires foreign investors to report their interests in U.S. agricultural land.
Parum said the reporting system helps the government track where foreign investments are located and how the land is being used.
Canada and Europe Account for the Largest Holdings
Canada accounts for the largest amount of foreign-held U.S. agricultural land, followed by European countries collectively.
Parum said much of these holdings involve forestland and renewable energy projects, including situations in which an American landowner leases acreage for renewable energy development involving foreign investment.
She noted that a farmer may still own the property while a foreign company or investor holds an interest through a lease or energy project.
China, which has received attention in discussions about foreign investment in U.S. farmland, holds a comparatively small share of the reported acreage.
Parum said monitoring foreign investment remains important, particularly when it involves countries considered potential national security concerns.
Texas and Maine Lead by Acreage
Texas has the most foreign-held agricultural land, which Parum said is unsurprising given the state’s size.
Maine ranks second, largely because of its extensive forestland and foreign investment in timber holdings.
The differences illustrate why the national figures need to be considered alongside the type of land involved and how it is being used.
Parum said foreign interests extend across the country, with forests and renewable energy projects accounting for a substantial portion of the reported acreage.
Understanding the Numbers
Parum said USDA’s reporting is important for understanding the scope and location of foreign investment, but the figures should not be interpreted as meaning all reported acreage is foreign-owned farmland being used for agricultural production.
Some holdings involve leases, while other properties are associated with forestry or renewable energy development.
She said continued tracking helps policymakers and the agricultural industry better understand where foreign interests exist and how those investments affect land use.
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