What America’s Farmlands Really Grow: Soybeans, Oranges, and a Side of Geopolitical Drama

By Zeus Zeihan, the satirical sibling of that other Zeihan you pretend to understand

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Welcome to the grand agricultural circus of the United States, where acres of cornfields stretch to infinity, soybeans plot their quiet global takeover, and oranges bask in Florida’s sunshine like citrus royalty. But what exactly does America’s farmland grow, who’s buying it, and how does this all fit into the geopolitical soap opera starring Canada, Mexico, and the rest of the world? Let’s dig in-because if Peter Zeihan can predict the collapse of China every year since 2010, surely we can get our facts straight on what’s actually sprouting in the soil.

The American Farm: Not Just Corn and Soybeans (But Mostly Corn and Soybeans)

America’s farmland is the original multitasker. It’s the place where corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, fruits, vegetables, and livestock all compete for their slice of the 880 million acres that make up roughly 39% of the country’s land.

Top Crops by Land Use:

• Corn: The undisputed heavyweight champ, grown mainly in the Midwest’s “Corn Belt” (think Iowa and Illinois). Used for everything from your breakfast cereal to livestock feed and biofuels.

• Soybeans: America’s oilseed superstar, grown alongside corn, feeding both domestic livestock and hungry export markets, especially in Asia.

• Wheat: The Great Plains’ pride, feeding bread baskets across the globe.

• Cotton: Southern states’ textile treasure.

• Fruits & Vegetables: California and Florida’s sunny gift to the nation, including those famous oranges.

• Livestock (Beef): Taking up about 40% of livestock land, the U.S. is a global beef powerhouse.

Chart 1: U.S. Agricultural Land Use & Major Crops (Black on White for Maximum Seriousness)

Dollars and Sense: The Economic Impact

Agriculture isn’t just dirt and tractors; it’s a $1.05 trillion juggernaut in the U.S. economy (2017 data), about 5.4% of GDP. It supports millions of jobs, from the farmer to the food processor to the trucker hauling soybeans to the port. The sector’s secret sauce? Technology, scale, and a knack for exporting goods to the world.

Trade Tango: Canada, Mexico, and the World

If you thought the U.S. just ships corn and soybeans willy-nilly, think again. The North American market is a tightly choreographed dance under the USMCA agreement:

• Mexico: The largest U.S. ag export customer, importing $30.3 billion worth annually.

• Canada: Close second at $28.4 billion.

• Together, they gulp down about one-third of all U.S. agricultural exports.

Exports include grains, dairy, meats, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Canada loves its grain alcohol and baked goods; Mexico can’t get enough of U.S. horticultural delights.

Globally, Asia (especially China and Japan), Europe, and Latin America are hungry for American soybeans, corn, wheat, and beef. The U.S. faces fierce competition from Brazil, which grows two crops a year, but America’s tech edge keeps it in the game.

Chart 2: U.S. Agricultural Export Destinations (2023)

Final Thoughts from Zeus Zeihan’s Corner

So, America’s farmlands are not just a patchwork of corn and soybeans but a sprawling, high-tech, export-driven ecosystem that feeds the world and fuels the economy. And while the geopolitical Zeihans out there might be busy predicting collapses and chaos, the real story on the ground is one of steady productivity, complex trade, and a market that’s as intertwined with Canada and Mexico as your favorite conspiracy theory is with a YouTube algorithm.

If Peter Zeihan’s predictions make you chuckle or cringe, just remember: the U.S. farm belt is quietly growing the future-one soybean at a time.

Zeus Zeihan is not related to Peter Zeihan but enjoys poking fun at his dramatic flair while keeping an eye on the real dirt.

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