You need to put in your book the unique kick-start situation we are currently facing. Let's say that there are two plantation owners, that each want 500 acres. A bidding war among the two could lead the first to get the acres he needs at, let's say 201 gc per acre, as this was the maximum of the other owner.
However, a few hours later, or a few days later, 500 acres more could open and since no other strong contender would appear, the owner above could get the same amount for 35 gc.
There can be such huge differences and the initial quartermaster design was made keeping such in mind. I currently see some bids of 500 gc at Goroum. I wonder why? Will you break even?
Acres are not as important after all. You can still be competitive with fewer acres (just raise workload). The excess workers will make up for the extra hours. Surely, none ha 5 stars everywhere, so you can afford reducing acres from the buildings you have not improved yet.
I have had a story reaching my inbox, about losing workers due to acres shortage. This is not a real case scenario though. Workers will not die because of lack of space. The only adversary affect loss of acres could have to your workers health, is only if you lose star ratings to infrastructure key for health (ie baths/housing). This could only happen if your available acres are restored to 0 there or are not enough to maintain your previous rating. In all other cases, a drop of acres will most probably improve your plantation health, because workers will have nothing to do but sit somewhere, idling. This is why you can increase the workload. Btw, this is not new, I have written this again before.