The Role of BRICS Countries in Ensuring Global Food Security

Over the past several years, the global food system has continued to face numerous challenges driven by population growth, climate change, economic instability, and geopolitical crises. These factors threaten not only the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and global food security, but also the entire Sustainable Development Agenda. Under these circumstances, the role of countries capable of ensuring both stable production and reliable food supplies, particularly agricultural products, is becoming increasingly important.

Against this backdrop, the contribution of the BRICS countries to global food security has become particularly significant. Over the past 15 years, the grouping has transformed from a system primarily focused on domestic resources into a major global supplier, becoming a "cornerstone of global food stability," a transformation facilitated, among other factors, by the expansion of BRICS membership. This transformation and its role as a global leader are evidenced by the fact that BRICS countries account for a substantial share of the world's agricultural land, while several member states are among the world's leading producers and exporters of various agricultural commodities, including cereals. BRICS countries account for 33% of the world's agricultural land and 80% of global food reserves in value terms.

Cereals constitute one of the most important groups of agricultural products. Since 2009, cereal production has increased in almost all BRICS countries (Figure 1). China is the undisputed leader in this area, followed by India, Russia, and Brazil, where production growth has remained relatively stable. This also indicates that these countries are less dependent on imports and are capable of supplying agricultural products not only to their domestic markets, thereby minimizing the risk of food shortages, but also of contributing to food security both within the BRICS grouping and globally.

According to the FAO report Agricultural Production Statistics 2010–2023, the major cereal crops include maize, rice, wheat, barley, and sorghum. Over recent decades, BRICS countries have accounted for a remarkable share of global production of these crops: approximately 60% of global rice production, 45% of wheat, 40% of maize, 25% of sorghum, and 20% of barley. China, India, and Russia have consistently been the leading producers of major cereal crops. The high concentration of cereal production and exports within BRICS creates favorable conditions for the development of an independent pricing architecture, including through the BRICS Grain Exchange, which has been actively discussed in recent years and could potentially help reduce price volatility under conditions of external economic restrictions.

Moreover, BRICS continues to strengthen its position as the voice of the Global South, serving as one of the key exporters of staple food products such as rice and wheat to countries vulnerable to food shortages. In doing so, the grouping is expanding its geopolitical role and international economic influence, particularly against the backdrop of intensifying geopolitical conflicts in recent years.

BRICS countries also make a substantial contribution to global livestock production. Between 2009 and 2023, they produced approximately 45% of global meat output (including poultry), 60% of eggs, and 35% of milk. China makes the largest contribution to global meat and egg production, while India is the leading contributor to milk production.

In addition to being the world's largest producers of key agricultural commodities, BRICS countries also make a significant contribution to global agricultural exports. The total value of agricultural exports from BRICS countries demonstrated steady growth over the past decades, reaching USD 397 billion in 2023 (Figure 2), accounting for approximately 21% of global agricultural exports in value terms. Brazil plays a particularly important role as one of the world's largest agricultural exporters. According to FAO data for 2023, the largest bilateral agricultural trade flow worldwide was recorded between Brazil and China, amounting to USD 53.6 billion. Besides China, Indonesia is also among Brazil's three largest trading partners within the broader BRICS framework, with trade totaling USD 1.9 billion.

However, likely due in part to escalating geopolitical challenges, export volumes declined to USD 387 billion in 2024. The persistence of external challenges associated with the current geopolitical environment, particularly disruptions to global logistics and supply chains, may negatively affect not only BRICS countries whose GDPs depend significantly on agricultural exports, but also global food security as a whole.

In order to preserve and strengthen resilience within the grouping under current conditions, minimizing dependence on external suppliers and reducing risks associated with supply chain disruptions has become especially important. One possible strategy for BRICS countries is to enhance intra-BRICS food trade. It is worth noting that this direction has already become part of the current agenda. Among the most significant initiatives are the establishment of the previously mentioned BRICS Grain Exchange as a platform for grain trade, its subsequent expansion to include other agricultural products and commodities, and the discussions launched in 2025 on creating a mechanism to finance food imports in BRICS countries with the support of the New Development Bank.

When discussing the preservation of BRICS' leadership in the global food arena, it is important to emphasize the need to prioritize the development of domestic and cross-border transport infrastructure, as well as cooperation in logistics and insurance schemes for agricultural producers and suppliers. Furthermore, in order to fully realize BRICS' potential in ensuring global food security, the member states could establish a Joint Food Security Fund aimed at accumulating financial and food resources and directing them to countries most in need. Such a Fund could include not only BRICS member states but also third countries willing to contribute to addressing global food security challenges. The establishment of such a Fund would not only enhance BRICS' already significant contribution to global food security but also support agricultural producers within member states by creating additional opportunities.

Thus, the fact that BRICS countries account for approximately 80% of global food reserves in value terms, while several member states are among the world's leading producers and exporters of numerous agricultural commodities, including cereals and major livestock products, makes the alliance a key player in ensuring food security at the international level. At the same time, considerable differences exist among BRICS countries in terms of their respective positions and capacities, highlighting the need to further strengthen cooperation within the grouping.