USDA-certified organic land is expected to reach nearly 8.7 million acres across the U.S. during 2022, according to organic and non-GMO market data firm Mercaris.

“Following a decline in certified organic pasture and rangeland, area dedicated to organic field crop production is expected to account for the largest share of total certified organic land,” says Vice President of Economics with Mercaris Ryan Koory. “Land utilized for organic field crop production is expected to increase 3 percent from 2021 totaling nearly 3.8 million harvested acres through 2022.” Those 8.7 million acres comprise more than 19,700 farms.

Acreage gains are not expected for all organic field crops, with organic wheat and corn harvested acres expected to decline by 1 percent and 2 percent, respectively.

“The decline we expect in organic wheat and corn harvested acres is attributed to a combination of challenging growing conditions and elevated organic soybean prices,” says Koory.