Amid climate instability, rising global food insecurity, and geopolitical tensions, the Arab Gulf States are redefining their alliances with determination and foresight. Countries in Latin America are emerging as key partners, poised to shift from emerging trading prospect to strategic pillar. Indeed, from the wide expanses of wheat in Argentina to the lush avocado plantations in Mexico, South America has become an essential component in reinforcing the Gulf’s food security, aligning with its broader push for economic diversification (Economist Impact, 2022). Across the Gulf, food security is no longer just a development goal—it is a strategic necessity. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates all import more than 85% of their entire food demand, due to limited arable land (Strategy&, 2020). By 2027, with the Gulf population growth expected to exceed 62 million and food consumption set to reach 56 million tonnes (GCC Food Report, 2023), providing access to healthy, sustainable and affordable food has become an imperative.

The region faces a dual challenge: climate change is intensifying desertification and water stress, undermining the already limited local agricultural production; while the heavy reliance on imports exposes GCC members to external shocks, geopolitical turmoil and unpredictable global market fluctuations (FAO, 2024). Recent international crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine, have made the fragility of the supply chains underpinning the Gulf food model even more evident (Aljuneidi, Bhat, & Boulaksil, 2025). Within this context, food security emerges as a crucial intersection of strategic autonomy, economic resilience and national sovereignty. From this critical scenario, Latin America has emerged as a natural partner. Due to its abundance of water resources, fertile land and a constantly booming agro-industrial sector, it represents one of the most promising production hubs in the world. Brazil and Argentina, in particular, are long-standing suppliers of meat and grain to the Gulf. Already in 2016, the region accounted for 9% of the GCC’s agricultural imports, with almost half of the meat imported and significant shares of sugar and fodder (EIU, 2018). Ecuador and Chile stand out for their exports of fresh and dried fruits, while Mexico is strengthening its role as a premium fruit and vegetable supplier.

The Gulf States are not merely importing, but they are investing strategically. The UAE, through sovereign wealth funds such as Mubadala and ADQ, have enhanced their presence in the agribusiness sector in Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia with targeted acquisitions and joint ventures (Arab News, 2023). Saudi Arabia, through SALIC (Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company), has set its sights on Argentina and Paraguay, securing stable grain and meat flows, as well as key logistics infrastructure (Americas Quarterly, 2024). Qatar is pursuing long-term halal meat and wheat supply agreements with Brazil and Mexico, while Oman has bet on agricultural innovation in Chile, financing high-tech pilot projects (TRENDS Research, 2024). Kuwait is collaborating with Brazil in the dairy and fruit and vegetable sectors, showing a deepening interest in South-South synergies. Bahrain is advancing logistics digitisation and diversifying imports, including processed foods from Latin American (CZ Advise, 2024). Such efforts support a broader project: to transform the Gulf into a global hub of sustainable food trade and logistics. Initiatives such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Operation 300bn reflect an ambitious strategy to build an interconnected, resilient, sustainable food system adaptable to future crises.

This will require considerable coordination and strategic foresight. Aligning the interests with the GCC and fostering the cooperation with Latin American partners will be challenging, especially when internal dynamics, geopolitical pressures and sustainability constraints are intertwined. Nevertheless, the potential benefits are significant. A structured partnership between the Gulf petromonarchies and Latin America—focused on food security, agro-technology research and sustainable transportation—could serve as a model for other vulnerable regions in the global South (World Economic Forum 2024).

Whether these ambitious goals are achieved will depend on the ability of the different players to move in complex and ever-changing global settings. The GCC-Latin America relationship is just one part of a broader web of rivalries and alignments involving China, the US, India and the European Union. Yet, the stakes are high: food security is no more just a technical challenge, but one of the new fronts of international geopolitics.