In response to these fears, federal and state governments have moved to "claw back" control:
: As of early 2026, approximately 30 states have passed laws restricting foreign adversaries—specifically China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—from purchasing agricultural land. States like Florida have even upheld laws prohibiting property ownership within 10 miles of military installations. china buying us farmland
: Holdings are heavily concentrated in Texas, North Carolina, Missouri, Utah, and Florida , which together account for about 93% of all Chinese-owned acreage. National Security and "Flashpoints" In response to these fears, federal and state
: A Chinese billionaire's plan for a wind farm on 130,000 acres near Laughlin Air Force Base was halted by state laws designed to protect the Texas power grid. The Current Landscape These incidents, alongside the 2023
The story of Chinese ownership of American farmland is one of shifting numbers, national security debates, and a rapidly changing legal landscape. While the total acreage owned by Chinese entities is relatively small—less than 1% of all foreign-held land—the intensity of the political response has grown significantly in recent years. The Current Landscape
These incidents, alongside the 2023 Chinese spy balloon episode, transformed farmland ownership from a niche agricultural issue into a primary national security concern. A New Wave of Restrictions
As of late 2025 and into 2026, Chinese entities and individuals own approximately of U.S. agricultural land. This figure actually represents a decline from a 2021 peak of over 383,000 acres, largely due to a major Chinese billionaire divesting from a massive renewable energy project in Texas.