USDA Releases 2026 Crop Acreage Projections

Corn acres up, soybeans and wheat down in latest Prospective Plantings report

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:03pm

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The USDA released its Prospective Plantings report for the 2026 crop year, projecting higher than expected corn acreage at 95.338 million acres, lower than expected soybean acreage at 84.7 million acres, and lower wheat acreage at 43.775 million acres. The report provides the first official survey-based estimates of U.S. farmers' 2026 planting intentions.

Why it matters

The Prospective Plantings report is a closely watched indicator of the upcoming growing season and can significantly impact commodity prices and agricultural markets. The shifts in projected acreage for major crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat reflect changing farmer planting decisions based on factors like expected profitability, weather, and market conditions.

The details

According to the USDA, corn acreage is projected to increase in 37 of the 48 estimating states, with decreases of 300,000 acres or more expected in several Midwest states. Soybean acreage is expected to increase by 300,000 acres or more in several states, including Arkansas, Iowa, and Nebraska. Wheat acreage is projected to decline by 3% overall, with winter wheat down 2% and other spring wheat down 6% from 2025 levels.

  • The Prospective Plantings report was released on March 31, 2026.
  • The Quarterly Grain Stocks report, also released on March 31, 2026, showed corn and wheat stocks below pre-report averages and soybean stocks above pre-report averages.

The players

USDA

The United States Department of Agriculture, the federal agency responsible for developing and executing policies related to agriculture, food, natural resources, and rural development.

Arlan Suderman

Chief Commodities Economist at StoneX, who provided commentary and analysis on the USDA reports.

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What’s next

The USDA will release updated acreage estimates in subsequent reports throughout the growing season, which will be closely watched by farmers, traders, and analysts to gauge the size of the 2026 crops.

The takeaway

The shifts in projected crop acreage for 2026 reflect the dynamic nature of agricultural production and the factors that influence farmers' planting decisions, which can have significant implications for commodity markets and food supplies.