Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson shared the latest United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) report on Foreign Holdings of U.S. Agricultural Land with members of the Mississippi Legislature.
The report disclosed a net increase of 184,619 acres of Mississippi agricultural land owned by foreign interests.
Acreage increased from 757,816 in 2021 to 942,435 acres in 2022. This report from USDA is a full year more recent than the Dec. 31, 2021, report previously included in the Foreign Purchase of Farmland Study Committee’s findings released to the Legislture in November.
“Due to the large net increase of 184,619 acres of Mississippi foreign-held land above the 2021 report, I feel compelled to provide this updated report to the Mississippi Legislature in advance of the 2024 Regular Session,” said Gipson. “This represents a net increase of 184,619 acres, or 24.3% above the prior USDA report as of Dec. 31, 2021, of 757,816 agricultural acres held by foreign interests.”
The 757,816 agricultural acres was previously reported in the Foreign Purchase of Farmland Study Committee’s Final Report dated Nov. 28. Gipson said it is unclear whether this reported increase is the result of increased purchases by foreign interests, or increased reporting to USDA of prior acquisitions.
“This newly released foreign ownership report adds clear urgency to our Study Committee’s recommendation that the Mississippi Legislature act in 2024,” said Gipson.
MDAC is reviewing the updated report as of Dec. 31, 2022, for any other material changes from the 2021 report and will be updating its Foreign Purchase of Farmland website (www.mdac.ms.gov/farmland) and related statements with these developments.
