The rising geopolitical tensions around the world has put international trade in an uncertain situation through tariff fluctuations or trade route blockade in war-affected countries. Agriculture is no longer seen as a domestic development issue, but as a strategic sector increasingly linked to geopolitical resilience, supply chain security and cooperation with the Global South. In this regard, ensuring food security becomes of paramount importance as BRICS accounts for 49.5% of the world’s population, 40% GDP and 26% trade (BRICS India, 2026). BRICS+ emerged with the initial thought of a trade reform coalition into an ambitious global food governance platform over the years. The bloc has expanded its member countries (Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates), which provides opportunities for trade and investment cooperation. Amid growing global economic uncertainty, India’s BRICS 2026 Chairmanship presents a valuable opportunity to advance deeper economic cooperation and strengthen partnerships among member countries.
Status of Trade
BRICS countries saw a massive increase in total merchandise exports, jumping from $906 billion in 2003 to $5.9 trillion in 2024. This resulted in the share of BRICS in world exports increasing from around 12% to about 24%. This demonstrates that they have grown more significant in international markets. Merchandise imports rose from $783 billion in 2003 to $4.92 trillion in 2024, and their share of global imports rose from around 10% to about 20% (UNCTAD, 2026). Similarly, in value terms, BRICS agricultural exports and imports accounted for around 16% and 17%, respectively, in 2025 (ITC Trade Map, 2026).
The main agricultural export markets for BRICS+ include oilseeds, cotton, fish, grain, and meat. The export shares for these products range from approximately 20% to 40%. Soybeans represented over 80% of oilseed exports, while rice, wheat, and corn dominated grain exports, with India at the forefront of rice exports (Glauben and Duric, 2024).
Priority commitments towards agricultural trade
The vision of agricultural trade is grounded in inclusivity, openness and multilateral cooperation since the inception of BRICS. The initial thought of fighting against protectionism and safeguarding the rule-based trading system has evolved over time. Now countries are prioritising more towards food security, agricultural value-chain development, supply-chain resilience, and digital trade facilitation. The group has consistently emphasised the importance of strengthening the multilateral trading architecture through WTO reforms that better mirror the interests of developing economies while encouraging greater participation of agricultural producers and agribusinesses in regional and global value chains.
There has also been increasing attention given to enhancing trade connectivity, reducing disruptions in the movement of agricultural commodities and inputs, and utilising e-commerce and digital platforms to increase market access. More recently, BRICS has recognised the strategic importance of strong agricultural supply chains, especially in the context of global crises affecting food and fertiliser markets, resulting in increased commitments to ensure the uninterrupted supply of food products and essential agricultural inputs. Together, these changing commitments suggest a gradual departure from the general principles of trade liberalisation toward a more comprehensive framework that integrates trade facilitation, food security, supply-chain stability, value addition, and sustainable agricultural development as mutually reinforcing pillars of agricultural trade cooperation among BRICS members.
Future priorities
The foundation for agricultural cooperation has been set with the evolution of commitments over the past fifteen years of BRICS. Now is the time for institutional deepening and implementation with a more integrated, resilient agricultural trade architecture. The focus should be on how to convert broad political consensus into mechanisms of practical use to enhance trade, lower transaction costs, and improve food security among member countries in the future.
A key opportunity exists in enhancing the interoperability of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) systems among BRICS members. Improved coordination in digital certification, risk assessment, and mutual recognition procedures could enhance agricultural trade efficiency, benefiting farmers and exporters while ensuring food safety and quality standards.
Strengthening agricultural information-sharing platforms and research networks, like the Basic Agricultural Information Exchange System (BAIES) and the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform (BRICS-ARP), is crucial. These initiatives enhance market transparency, foster innovation, and facilitate technology transfer. Expanding these platforms through data integration and collaborative research can support climate-resilient agriculture and productivity growth in various farming systems.
Digital transformation offers significant cooperation opportunities through e-commerce and digital platforms, enhancing the connection between producers and consumers. Future initiatives may include developing digital standards, improving rural infrastructure, and fostering smallholder engagement in digital marketplaces, which would promote inclusive agricultural trade and rural entrepreneurship.
The development of resilient agricultural supply chains is a central priority, emphasising stable access to agricultural inputs and food commodities for long-term food security. Discussions on fertiliser cooperation, food import financing, and grain market transparency highlight the need for strengthened coordination to reduce market volatility, improve preparedness for external shocks, and enhance agricultural trade flows among BRICS members.
Conclusion
Fifteen years of BRICS have significantly enhanced its comprehension of food systems, encompassing WTO reform, climate resilience, commodity trade, digital governance, technical cooperation, and a developing vision of Global South food sovereignty. BRICS is poised to enhance its influence on global agricultural cooperation as it expands its role. The grouping has significant strengths in fields such as agricultural production, research, technology, and market size, which can be leveraged to create a more diversified, inclusive, and resilient global food system. The primary challenge lies not in lacking a vision but rather in effectively translating current initiatives into concrete results that provide advantages for farmers, consumers, and agricultural enterprises within its member countries. This operationalisation is crucial for strengthening global value chain networks for enhancing agricultural trade and ensuring food security.
References
BRICS, India (2026). https://www.brics2026.gov.in/about-us/. Accessed on 3rd June 2026
Glauben, T., & Duric, I. (2024). BRICS: World heavyweight in agricultural trade. Intereconomics, 59(3), 160-166. DOI: 10.2478/ie-2024-0033
ITC Trade Map (2026). https://www.trademap.org/.Accessed on 3rd June 2026
UNCTAD (2026). Two decades of intra-BRICS trade: Trends, patterns and policies. https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/tcsgdsinf2025d2_en.pdf
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