Adaptability is resilience 

During the MVO networking event on 26 March, it was clearly stated that the focus for 2026 will be on security of supply. This is not an abstract theme, but the daily reality of our sector: raw materials that must be sourced from across the globe, supply chains that are becoming increasingly complex, and logistics under pressure. Our sector braves these challenges not only to remain economically competitive, but also because millions of people rely every day on the products we make available. At the same time, regulatory demands are increasing, while those same supply chains do not easily fit into simplified models or allow for full control.

Our supply chains are globally interconnected and therefore vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions and shifts. That same globalisation also highlights how difficult it is to meet all the requirements placed today in the areas of sustainability, food safety and cybersecurity. Despite these challenges, our sector continues to adapt. Trade flows are shifting, the origin of raw materials is changing, and the Netherlands is strengthening its role as a gateway to Europe.

This adaptability is our strength. But it does not mean that everything will solve itself. If we are to safeguard security of supply, this also requires legislation and regulation that align with practice. It also calls for cooperation with government and policymakers, based on an understanding of how our supply chains actually function. There is also a responsibility on our side: to better explain this complexity and to actively engage in dialogue - not in opposition, but alongside one another. In a world that is constantly changing, standing still is not an option.

In the words of Charles Darwin: it is not the strongest or the most intelligent that survives, but the one most able to adapt.

Frans Claassen,

Managing Director MVO - The Netherlands Oils and Fats Industry