BRICS and the new geography of agri-trade

India’s BRICS chairship in 2026 comes as agricultural trade faces new challenges beyond tariffs, including climate shocks, food-price volatility, fertiliser supply disruptions, sustainability requirements and digital traceability standards. With BRICS now accounting for nearly half the world’s population, around 40% of global GDP and $1.17 trillion in intra-group trade, agriculture has become a strategic area for cooperation.