U.S. farmers are expected to increase soybean planting this spring as low crop prices and high production costs push producers to focus on crops with stronger economic returns, according to a new analysis by CoBank.
The report projects U.S. soybean acreage will rise by nearly 6% in 2026, reaching about 86 million acres. The expansion is supported by growing domestic soybean-crushing capacity and expectations of continued demand from China. Anticipation of higher renewable fuel blending requirements in the United States is also helping support soybean prices.
At the same time, total corn acreage in the United States is forecast to decline by 4.8% to about 94 million acres. Following a strong corn year in 2025 and record stock levels, many farmers are expected to rotate into soybeans to diversify marketing risk and improve profitability. However, in the Northern Plains, corn could gain acreage at the expense of soybeans due to weaker soybean price basis and stronger corn yield performance.
Spring wheat acreage is projected to fall by about 1% to 9.89 million acres, while durum wheat plantings are expected to decline by 3% to 2.12 million acres. Large supplies in North America and weaker profit potential compared to competing crops continue to pressure wheat planting decisions.
Grain sorghum acreage is also expected to decrease, falling by about 5% to 6.31 million acres. Strong corn yields, improved soil moisture in the Central Plains, and steady local demand for corn from feedlots are encouraging farmers to shift land away from sorghum. Sorghum stocks have also risen following last year’s larger harvest.
Cotton acreage is forecast to decline slightly to 9.19 million acres, the lowest level in more than a decade. Slower U.S. cotton exports to China, stronger export competition from Brazil and Australia, and increased use of synthetic fibers have limited price recovery, prompting some producers in the South to switch to soybeans or corn.
Rice acreage is expected to see the sharpest reduction, dropping 20% year-on-year to 2.83 million acres — the lowest level in three decades. High production costs, subsidized rice exports from India, and growing competition from South American suppliers in key markets such as Mexico are pushing farmers, particularly in the southern U.S., to consider soybeans as a more profitable alternative.
