The Role of BRICS in Strengthening Global Food Security

In order to present a clear picture of the escalating global food security crisis, the latest World Bank data and the Global Report on Food Crises 2024 indicate that food supply challenges have reached a critical and alarming stage in recent years. According to the report, as of July 2024, approximately 99.1 million people across 59 countries were facing severe food shortages, malnutrition, and even forced displacement.

Under these circumstances, the role of BRICS—as one of the world’s largest food-producing blocs—has become increasingly significant. BRICS countries account for more than one-third of global food production and over 40 percent of global chemical fertilizer production, collectively providing food for more than four billion people worldwide.

With access to over 45 percent of global agricultural land and a dominant share in grain production—including more than 35 percent of global rice, 30 percent of corn, and over 25 percent of wheat—BRICS has effectively become a central pillar of global food security.

In 2024, Russia exported approximately 109 million tons of food products worth USD 45 billion and plans to increase its agricultural output by 25 percent by 2030 compared to 2021. Brazil, with agricultural exports valued at USD 166.55 billion, ranks as the world’s third-largest exporter of agricultural products.

China, the world’s largest producer of rice, wheat, corn, and soybeans, is shifting from exporting raw agricultural commodities toward processed and branded food products with higher added value. India has also emerged as a leading exporter of rice, milk, buffalo meat, spices, pulses, and fruits.

Despite this vast production capacity, experts warn that 2.6 billion people worldwide still cannot afford healthy and nutritious food, with food inflation disproportionately affecting low-income countries.