Grains and derivative products are vital global staples, with grain crops supplying around 50% of dietary energy worldwide. They also remain one of the most important protein sources in human nutrition, requiring about 4.6m² of land to produce 100 g of grain-based protein..

Strengthening trust between producers and importing countries requires continuous monitoring and an open, ongoing discussion of the challenges facing the grains trade. A regular, structured dialogue on the links between trade and food security helps prevent market disruption and can reduce excessive price volatility.

With the support of the government of Japan – during the time of its G7 presidency in 2023 – the IGC Secretariat launched a unique knowledge-sharing platform for producing and importing countries. This provides an important opportunity for policymakers to engage in meaningful discussions surrounding respective national food security strategies and the role that trade plays.