The arable and permanent cropland area in the US has been experiencing a declining trend. In 2013, the cropland area stood at 157.21 million hectares and saw relatively minor fluctuations over the next several years. Despite a minor uptick in specific years such as 2014 and 2018, the overall trend has indicated a decline. As of 2023, the arable and permanent cropland area is at 151.08 million hectares.
Year-on-year variations show slight increases in specific years, but overall, the trend since 2019 has been negative. Specifically, the year-on-year change for 2023 was a decrease of 0.55%, with a five-year CAGR of -1.04% from 2018 to 2023. Future forecasts project a continued decline with a forecasted five-year CAGR of -0.42% resulting in a projected cropland area of 147.16 million hectares by 2028.
Future trends to watch for:
- Technological advancements in agricultural practices potentially offsetting some losses in cropland area.
- Policy changes and sustainable agricultural initiatives that may impact overall land usage.
- Climate change effects on the suitability of cropland and shifts in regional agricultural viability.
