In this article, we will look at the 10 Best Farmland and Agriculture Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires.
A Research and Markets report valued the global agriculture market at $14.36 trillion in 2024. The analysis projects the market’s growth to accelerate at a 7.9% CAGR, reaching $15.5 trillion in 2025 and $20.63 trillion by 2029. According to the report, the engine behind this growth trajectory is increasing global food demand, technological advancements in farming practices, and the growing emphasis on sustainable agricultural solutions.
In the United States, the value of cropland has been rising steadily, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5% over the past 20 years. As of 2023, the average price per acre was $5,586 compared to $3,494 just ten years back. One of the reasons given for this phenomenon is “steady demand and competitive bidding.”
Many investors, including billionaires such as Bill Gates and John Malone, view farmland as an inflation hedge. No wonder Gates is now the largest private farmland owner in the US, holding over 275,000 acres across 17 states.
Similarly, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has considerable exposure to agricultural machinery and fertilizer firms. In an interview, hedge fund titan Jim Rogers reiterated his stance that “agriculture is going to be one of the most exciting industries of our lifetime” due to shrinking arable land and a growing world population.
On the public markets, the S&P Global Agribusiness Index is up 12.90% year-to-date (as of July 29), a performance that far outstrips the S&P 500’s 8.64%. With this backdrop in mind, this article explores the top 10 farmland and agriculture stocks favored by billionaires.
Our Methodology
To identify the 10 best farmland and agriculture stocks to buy according to billionaires, we analyzed agricultural ETF holdings, and financial media reports to create an initial list of agriculture-focused companies. We picked stocks with positive year to date returns (as of August 3). Then we used Insider Monkey’s exclusive database of billionaire stock holdings (as of Q4 2024) to select the stocks with the highest number of billionaire investors. Our list of the 10 best farmland and agriculture stocks to buy according to billionaires is ranked based on the number of billionaire investors of the respective stocks. Furthermore, we also noted down the hedge fund interest surrounding each stock from Insider Monkey’s hedge fund database of Q1 2025.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
Best Farmland and Agriculture Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires
10. AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO)
Year to Date Returns: 24.42%
Total Value of Billionaire Holdings: 5
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 27
AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO) is one of the best farmland and agriculture stocks to buy according to billionaires. On July 10, the company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.29 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable on September 15, 2025, to shareholders of record as of August 15, 2025.
AGCO has consistently paid a quarterly dividend of $0.29 per share in recent quarters, including payments on June 16, 2025 (ex-dividend date May 15, 2025), and March 14, 2025 (ex-dividend date February 14, 2025). Except for this recent plateau, the company has increased its dividends for 13 consecutive years, with an average dividend growth rate of 13.19% over the past 36 months, 12.63% over the past 60 months, and 9.93% over the past 120 months.
On April 25, 2024, AGCO declared a special variable dividend of $2.50 per share, paid on May 20, 2024. This payment was in addition to the regular quarterly dividend.
AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO) is a global manufacturer and distributor of agricultural machinery and precision agriculture technology. Through brands like Fendt, Massey Ferguson, Valtra, and PTx, AGCO provides tractors, combines, grain storage systems, and smart farming solutions that support large-scale crop production.
9. Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:NTR)
Year to Date Returns: 29.33%
Number of Billionaires: 6
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 32
Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:NTR) is one of the best farmland and agriculture stocks to buy according to billionaires. On July 14, RBC Capital Markets raised the price target for Nutrien from $65 to $70. The investment bank maintained an “Outperform” rating while noting that the price target adjustment was part of a broader analysis of Q2 outcomes for fertilizer companies.
According to RBC analysts, fertilizer prices have exceeded expectations, driven by geopolitical disruptions that have affected nitrogen supplies and rising international natural gas prices. Phosphate supply remains tight, and potash demand continues to be robust. Nutrien’s strong position is supported by an 8% increase in US retail fertilizer sales volumes in April 2025 compared to April 2024, indicating strong application rates.
RBC highlighted Nutrien’s effective strategies, including achieving its $200 million annual cost savings target by 2025, one year ahead of schedule, and optimizing capital expenditure. The analysts estimated that Nutrien would generate approximately $2 billion in annual cash flows, equating to an 8% yield, supporting dividends, share buybacks, and strategic acquisitions.
Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:NTR) is the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services. It supplies potash, nitrogen, and phosphate fertilizers to farmers across more than a dozen countries. Through its Nutrien Ag Solutions division, the company offers precision agriculture tools, soil testing, and crop protection products that directly support farmland productivity.
8. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. (NYSE:FDP)
Year to Date Returns: 13.27%
Number of Billionaires: 7
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 24
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. (NYSE:FDP) is one of the best farmland and agriculture stocks to buy according to billionaires. On July 9, the company revealed the appointment of Mark Gagnon as Vice President of Sales for the South Region. The appointment took effect on June 2, 2025, and the company hopes that this move will help accelerate growth across the Southern United States.
In his new position, Gagnon will “oversee commercial strategy and customer engagement across the Southern United States.” His primary objective is to “accelerate growth” within this region. Gagnon reports directly to Danny Dumas, the Senior Vice President of Sales, Product Management, and Marketing for North America.
Mark Gagnon has over 30 years of senior-level experience in sales strategy, business development, and customer management. His previous leadership roles span major companies, including Seald Sweet, Dole, Chobani, Chiquita, and Kalera. He previously worked at Fresh Del Monte from 2014 to 2020.
The company views this appointment as a way to “strengthen [its] leadership team and reinforce [its] commitment to delivering value for [its] customers and long-term growth for Fresh Del Monte.” It also emphasizes that his appointment “underscores Fresh Del Monte’s focus on enhancing commercial operations and deepening customer partnerships across North America.”
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. (NYSE:FDP) is a global producer and distributor of fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. The company owns and operates farmland across Central and South America, where it cultivates crops such as bananas, pineapples, and melons.
7. Bunge Global SA (NYSE:BG)
Year to Date Returns: 0.55%
Number of Billionaires: 9
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 38
Bunge Global SA (NYSE:BG) is one of the best farmland and agriculture stocks to buy according to billionaires. On July 8, Bunge arranged the first shipment of Argentine soybean meal bound for China, marking a historic milestone since Beijing gave import approval back in 2019. This delivery signals a major breakthrough in global agricultural trade relations.
The shipment consists of 30,000 metric tons of soybean meal. The vessel, named NORDTAJO, was scheduled to load the cargo around July 16, 2025, from the Terminal 6 facility in San Lorenzo, Argentina. This facility is jointly operated by Bunge and Argentina’s AGD, located north of the farm hub city of Rosario.
Bunge Global SA (NYSE:BG) is a multinational agribusiness and food company operating across four segments: Agribusiness, Refined and Specialty Oils, Milling, and Sugar and Bioenergy. It manages a vertically integrated supply chain that includes grain trading, oilseed processing, and food ingredient production.
6. CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE:CNH)
Year to Date Returns: 12.44%
Number of Billionaires: 9
Number of Hedge Funds: 34
CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE:CNH) is one of the best farmland and agriculture stocks to buy according to billionaires. On August 1, CNH Industrial reported Q2 2025 results that topped expectations, posting an adjusted profit of $0.17 per share, up from $0.14 last year, and revenue of $4.71 billion. Although revenue fell 14% year-over-year, aggressive cost-cutting brought expenses down to $4.43 billion from $5.03 billion, helping the company outperform Wall Street estimates. CNH continued producing below retail demand to manage dealer inventories, a move also seen among peers like Deere, AGCO, and Caterpillar.
Looking ahead, CNH expects a softer second half as tariff-affected inventory begins impacting production. While Q2 sales faced limited tariff exposure, CFO James Nikolas warned of increased pressure later in the year, and CEO Gerrit Marx emphasized uncertainty tied to U.S. trade actions. The company aims to offset rising costs with pricing adjustments and cheaper sourcing, but still expects 2025 sales to trail last year despite reaffirming annual guidance.
CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE:CNH) is a leading provider of agricultural machinery, delivering a wide range of equipment such as tractors, combine harvesters, and advanced precision farming solutions. Through its renowned brands, New Holland Agriculture and Case IH, the company plays a vital role in supporting modern farming practices worldwide.
5. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM)
Year to Date Returns: 7.23%
Number of Billionaires: 10
Number of Hedge Funds: 39
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM) is one of the best farmland and agriculture stocks to buy according to billionaires. On July 17, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) announced the closure of its Três Corações manufacturing plant in Brazil, ending its pet food production in the country.
The site, which also produced livestock and aqua feed, will cease operations as part of ADM’s global strategy to simplify its portfolio and realign assets with future goals. About 900 employees across the facility and other locations will be affected. ADM will continue its pet business operations in other regions.
The shutdown aligns with ADM’s broader cost-cutting plan revealed in February, aiming to save $500–700 million over five years. These measures respond to global market uncertainties and declining financial performance. In 2024, ADM reported an 8.9% revenue drop to $85.5 billion, with net profit falling 47% to $1.8 billion. The downturn persisted into Q1 2025, with net earnings plunging 59.5% year-over-year.
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM) focuses on sourcing, processing, and distributing major crops like soybeans, corn, and wheat. It serves a vital role in the global food supply chain by providing essential ingredients and agricultural feedstock to markets around the world.
4. Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:CALM)
Year to Date Returns: 2.13%
Number of Billionaires: 12
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 33
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:CALM) is one of the best farmland and agriculture stocks to buy according to billionaires. The company released its fourth-quarter and fiscal 2025 earnings on July 22, reporting net sales of $4.3 billion for the fiscal year, an 87% increase from $2.3 billion in fiscal 2024. This marks a record sales figure for the company.
Net income during the fiscal year grew nearly fourfold year-over-year. The company earned $1.2 billion, or about $24.95 per diluted share, compared to $277.9 million, or $5.69 per diluted share. According to the company, the significant sales and income growth came on the back of a higher average net selling price for shell eggs, as well as increased volumes sold. The higher prices resulted from a reduced supply of shell eggs industry-wide due to outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), combined with strong demand around the Easter holiday period in early 2025.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 (ending May 31), Cal-Maine sold about 311.4 million dozen shell eggs, which was 9% more than the prior year’s quarter. The average selling price in this quarter was about $3.305 per dozen, up from $2.133 per dozen a year earlier. Specialty eggs, including cage-free, grew by 16% in volume, while conventional eggs grew by 5%. For the full year, conventional eggs made up 63% of sales and specialty eggs 37%.
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:CALM) is the largest producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs in the United States. The company operates a vertically integrated supply chain that includes its own feed mills, pullet and layer farms, and processing facilities.
3. Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA)
Year to Date Returns: 26.32%
Number of Billionaires: 12
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 42
Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA) is one of the best farmland and agriculture stocks to buy according to billionaires. On July 14, KeyBanc’s Aleksey Yefremov raised the firm’s price target for Corteva to $84 from $72, while maintaining an “Overweight” rating on the shares.
Yefremov highlighted Corteva’s robust first-quarter results in 2025, which prompted an upward revision of financial projections. The analyst emphasized the stability of Corteva’s seed business, particularly noting positive trends in seed pricing, which supported the price target increase. Also, the analyst cited Corteva’s financial health, including a moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17 and a current ratio of 1.44, as a key advantage, which provides flexibility for investments in research, development, and acquisitions.
According to the analyst, the price target adjustment is supported by increased confidence in Corteva’s market position and growth prospects in the agricultural sector. Yefremov believes that the company’s ability to navigate market challenges and capitalize on demand for advanced seed and crop protection solutions is a huge positive.
Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA) is a global pure-play agriculture company operating through its Seed and Crop Protection segments. It develops advanced germplasm and biotech traits to maximize crop yields and offers a wide range of crop protection products, including biologicals and precision agriculture tools.
2. CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF)
Year to Date Returns: 6.68%
Number of Billionaires: 12
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 42
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF) is one of the best farmland and agriculture stocks to buy according to billionaires. The company announced on July 14 that it has officially commenced carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration operations at its Donaldsonville Complex in Louisiana. This marks the first major step towards the company’s decarbonization efforts.
The newly operational facility is designed to capture and enable the permanent geological sequestration of up to 2 million metric tons of CO2 annually. This CO2 would otherwise have been released into the atmosphere from the ammonia production process.
ExxonMobil is the carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) partner for this project. The company is in charge of transporting and permanently storing the captured CO2. Initially, ExxonMobil is storing CO2 from the Donaldsonville Complex in permanent geological sites through enhanced oil recovery (EOR). EOR involves injecting CO2 into oil wells to extract more oil. Upon receiving applicable permits, ExxonMobil plans to transition to dedicated permanent geological storage, starting with its Rose CCS project. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a draft Class VI permit for the Rose project in July 2025, with final permits anticipated later in the year. The Rose project is one of several dedicated permanent storage sites ExxonMobil is developing along the Gulf Coast.
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF) is a leading global manufacturer of nitrogen fertilizers, including ammonia, urea, and ammonium nitrate products. The company operates cost-advantaged production facilities and an extensive distribution network across North America and Europe. CF Industries plays a critical role in supporting farmland productivity by supplying essential crop nutrients that enhance soil fertility and yield.
1. Deere & Company (NYSE:DE)
Year to Date Returns: 19.80%
Number of Billionaires: 12
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 53
Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) is one of the best farmland and agriculture stocks to buy according to billionaires. On July 31, John Deere launched Operations Center PRO Service, a digital tool priced at $195 per machine annually, designed to simplify maintenance and repairs for equipment owners in the U.S. and Canada. The platform offers access to repair guides, diagnostics, controller software updates, and troubleshooting support for both connected and non-connected equipment across agriculture, turf, construction, and forestry categories.
Replacing the older Customer Service ADVISOR, the new service gives owners and independent repair providers the flexibility to manage machines via serial number registration. Basic features like operator manuals and warranty details are included free, while some advanced tools may require a data link connection. Deere plans to expand capabilities with future platform updates.
Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) is a renowned global manufacturer and supplier of machinery for agriculture, forestry, turf maintenance, and construction sectors. It delivers advanced equipment that supports productivity and innovation across these vital industries. The company operates through three core business segments: Agriculture and Turf, Construction and Forestry, and Financial Services. Each division is tailored to meet specialized market needs with cutting-edge products and financial solutions.
While we acknowledge the potential of DE to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than DE and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
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