Benelux, Safety

Benelux wants to strengthen the resilience of the food supply chain

15 Oct. 2026

How vulnerable is the food supply when a crisis disrupts the flow of goods? This question was at the heart of a working visit by a Benelux delegation to the Netherlands, organised within the framework of the Dutch Presidency of Benelux cooperation.

A key part of the programme was a tabletop exercise organised in cooperation with the The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS). During the simulation, participants explored a crisis scenario affecting the food supply chain, ranging from logistical disruptions and failures of critical infrastructure to cyber incidents and crisis communication with the public.

The exercise confirmed that food security does not stop at national borders. The food supply chains of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg are closely interconnected, meaning that disruptions in one country can quickly affect the entire region. Recent events highlight this vulnerability: cyberattacks targeting supermarket chains have demonstrated how dependent today’s food supply systems are on digital infrastructure.

Participants therefore stressed the importance of joint risk assessments, rapid information sharing and close cooperation among the competent authorities within the Benelux framework. In this context, they also expressed the ambition to organise a joint Benelux exercise on food security and crisis preparedness under the Belgian Presidency in 2027.

In addition to crisis management, discussions also focused on the future of agriculture, with particular attention to generational renewal, innovation and future-proof food systems. By sharing knowledge and experience, the Benelux countries are working together to build a food supply system that is better equipped to withstand the challenges of today and tomorrow.