By Jamie Martin
A new analysis of federal land ownership records is helping provide a clearer picture of foreign ownership of agricultural land in the United States.
Researchers Bruce Sherrick and Juo-Han Tsay from the University of Illinois examined data collected under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA), a federal law that requires foreign entities to report agricultural land interests in the U.S. The project also includes a new interactive mapping tool that allows users to explore ownership patterns at the county level.
The analysis uses USDA data covering agricultural land holdings through the end of 2024. The records include information on land location, ownership structures, country of citizenship, acreage, land use, and ownership types.
The report identified more than 46 million acres of agricultural land associated with foreign interests. However, the researchers emphasize that these holdings include a wide range of land categories beyond cropland. Forestland, pastureland, renewable energy leases, and other agricultural land uses are included within the reporting system.
Foreign ownership remains a relatively small percentage of total U.S. farmland. Based on Census of Agriculture figures, foreign-owned agricultural land accounts for less than one percent of all land in farms nationwide.
A major finding from the study is the large role of forestland in foreign ownership statistics. Nearly nine out of every ten foreign-owned agricultural acres are classified as forestland. Cropland and pastureland represent a much smaller portion of total reported acreage.
Ownership is heavily concentrated among a small group of countries. Canada holds the largest share, followed by several European nations. These holdings are largely connected to commercial forestry operations and long-established business investments.
The report also addresses concerns surrounding ownership linked to China. Researchers found that Chinese ownership represents a relatively small portion of foreign-held agricultural land reported through AFIDA. The findings suggest that public perceptions may not always align with the available data.
State-level results show significant geographic differences. Texas leads the nation in foreign-owned agricultural acreage, followed by Michigan, Oregon, Alabama, and Maine. Many of these states have extensive forest resources, which explains their larger ownership totals.
The study also found that land ownership structures vary widely. In timber-producing regions, ownership is typically connected to direct land holdings. In agricultural states across the Midwest and Great Plains, long-term leases associated with wind and solar energy development account for a larger share of reported acreage.
Corporate entities and limited liability companies represent the majority of foreign ownership interests. Individual foreign landowners account for only a small percentage of the reported acreage.
To improve public access to the information, the TIAA Center for Farmland Research created an online map that allows users to examine foreign agricultural land ownership by county. The tool provides information on ownership types, land uses, and the countries associated with reported holdings.
Researchers say the database offers a valuable resource for understanding foreign investment in agricultural land through a consistent reporting framework. They believe access to accurate information can help support informed discussions about farmland ownership, agricultural policy, and land-use decisions.
The findings indicate that while foreign ownership remains an important public policy topic, the overall share of U.S. farmland connected to foreign interests remains relatively small. The new mapping tool provides stakeholders with a practical way to explore ownership trends and understand how foreign-held agricultural land is distributed across the country.
Photo Credit: istock-alenamozhjer
Categories: National