In this paper, we examined how food insecurity can affect international migration aspirations and subsequent actions taken in preparation to move internationally from Sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing on a conceptual framework of the determinants of migration, we developed a three-stage regression model and tested it using data from the 2014 Gallup World Poll. The results indicate that multiple determinants play different roles in the migration decision process, which is characterized by aspirations, planning and final decision to migrate. Specifically, food insecurity is an important determinant of both the desire and the decision to migrate: food insecurity raises the probability of desiring to migrate internationally, with the probability of the desire increasing along with the severity of food insecurity. However, the probability of actually deciding to migrate internationally decreased as food insecurity worsened. These findings are in line with migration literature stating that the very poor, despite wishing to migrate, face tremendous constraints in transforming this desire into concrete decisions. Our results suggest that removing or reducing constraints to migration will benefit the poorest/most food insecure and highlight the need for an increased and effective coordination between food security and international migration policy agendas.

Saudi highland Arabica coffee has been cultivated for centuries on mountain terraces across Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha. It commands premium prices (SAR 100–200 per kilogram) in one of the world’s fastest-growing coffee markets, while its UNESCO recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity further strengthens its market position. Yet, despite these favourable conditions, many smallholder farmers remain unable to cover their production costs. Drawing on a stratified survey of 347 farms, a purposive cost-structure dataset of 19 farms, and qualitative field observations, this study examines the structural constraints that keep the sector in a low-viability equilibrium. The analysis shows that labour and water account for 72% of variable production costs, median yield is only 0.25 kg per productive tree compared with a biological potential of 4.0 kg, and 42% of farmers report no commercial sales, relying instead on household consumption and social gifting. Government subsidies keep about 40% of farms profitable, but the employment-based eligibility criterion excludes many younger growers needed for the sector’s long-term sustainability. The study proposes a practical reform package centred on rural infrastructure, cooperative extension and shared labour, performance-based subsidies, and contract farming to transform highland coffee into a viable specialty commodity aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

Saudi highland Arabica coffee has been cultivated for centuries on mountain terraces across Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha. It commands premium prices (SAR 100–200 [USD 27–53] per kilogram) in one of the world’s fastest-growing coffee markets, while its UNESCO recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity further strengthens its market position. Yet, despite these favourable conditions, many smallholder farmers struggle to cover their production costs at current yield levels. This study examines the structural constraints that keep the sector in a low financial viability, drawing on a stratified survey of 346 farms, a purposive cost-structure dataset of 19 farms, and qualitative field observations. The analysis shows that labour and water account for 72% of variable production costs, median yield is only 0.25 kg per productive tree compared with a biological potential of 4.0 kg, and 42% of farmers report no commercial sales, relying instead on household consumption and social gifting. Government subsidies keep about 40% of farms profitable, but the employment-based eligibility criterion excludes many younger growers needed for the sector’s long-term sustainability. The study proposes a practical reform package centred on rural infrastructure, cooperative extension and shared labour, performance-based subsidies, and contract farming to transform highland coffee into a viable specialty commodity aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.