See below for the already confirmed speakers for the OFI Trade Outlook and Logistics Conference with more being confirmed soon

CHAIRPERSON
Frans Claassen, Managing Director, MVO - the Oils and Fats Industry Association

2014 – now: Managing Director MVO – the Oils and Fats Industry Association

2021 – now: Board member - Dutch Employers Association (VNO-NCW)

Palm oil and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR): A new Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) traceability system for enhanced trade and regulatory compliance

Ruben Brunsveld, Deputy Director Market Transformation EMEA, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)

Ruben Brunsveld has a background in human rights, multilateral diplomacy and responsible business. He joined the RSPO in August 2021 to lead the market transformation division for Europe, Middle East & Africa.

He has both the supply and the demand side of the value chain within his remit and engages with members, policymakers and other stakeholders to promote sustainable palm oil production and uptake. He is also a highly experienced moderator and speaker on various sustainability topics.

Ruben uses his broad international personal experience, as a Colombian born, Indonesian
bred, Dutch man living in Sweden, and professional background to connect with stakeholders throughout the sustainable palm oil value chain.

The impact of climate and geopolitical risks on oilseeds and vegetable oil trade flows

Elwin de Groot, Head of Macro Strategy, RaboResearch – Global Economics and Markets (GEM)

Elwin de Groot heads the macro strategy team of RaboResearch – Global Economics and Markets (GEM) in the Netherlands. The team covers the main areas of G7 economics, key emerging markets, central bank policy and money markets. The European economy and financial markets, including ECB monetary policy are his key areas of attention. He joined Rabobank in 2006.

Being a seasoned speaker, Elwin gives many presentations and lectures for various client groups of Rabobank, including institutional investors and large corporations. He also regularly appears in the national and international press.

Between 1998 and 2006, Elwin worked for Fortis Bank as a European economist. He started his career at the Dutch Institute for Applied Scientific Research, where he worked as a researcher and project manager in the area of contract research for various clients in the public and private sector.
Elwin holds a Masters Degree in Economics at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam.

Black Sea & Danube Oilseed Market 2024-2025. Producation, Export flows, Investments

Sergey Feofilov, Director General, UkrAgroConsult, Ukraine

Sergey Feofilov has vast expertise in analysis of agricultural market of the Black Sea region and Eastern Europe. He has broad international contacts in trading, banking and investment spheres, is a recognised expert and speaker at the major international agri conferences.

UkrAgroConsult serves global agribusiness operators from 50+ countries worldwide, delivering quality market information and analysis for effective decision making. The company provides analytical reports on grain and oilseed markets, in-depth agri market research, investment consulting, business planning, is an organiser of the major international conferences on grains and oilseeds.

UkrAgroConsult's services are trusted by leading international agricultural producers, traders, agri holdings and farms, processors, investors and banks. The company cooperates with the major global and intergovernmental organisations in agricultural sector.

Soyabean oil and the EUDR

Gustavo Idigoras, president of the Chamber of Vegetable Oil Industry of Argentina (CIARA)

Political Science Degree, Master's Degree in International Relations and Master's Degree in Business Administration in Belgium.

Since 2018 President and CEO of Argentine Edible Oil Industry (CIARA) & Grain Exporters Center (CEC) of Argentina General Coordinator of VISEC Argentina since 2020

Director of Business Issue Management (BIM) a consultancy group of Argentina..

Postgraduate Professor at Buenos Aires University.

Senior Research from GPS (Producer Countries of the South).

Former Regional Manager of External Affairs of MONSANTO Argentina.

Former Director WTO program for sanitary and phytosanitary policies for Latin America & Caribean national food safety services.

Former International negotiator of Argentine government with 17 years of experience including a position as Agricultural Minister Counsel at European Commision and EU markets.

He has published a variety of publications on topics related to negotiations and global trade in food and bioenergy.

The shipping market, an owner’s perspective

Nils Jørgen Selvik, VP Corporate Analysis & IR, Odfjell SE

Nils Jørgen Selvik joined Odfjell in early 2023 as vice president of corporate analysis and investor relations. He heads a team that work closely with both the commercial side in Odfjell as well as finance and capital markets, providing business and market analysis.

Prior to joining Odfjell, Selvik had some 15 years of experience in shipping and ship finance, including eight years with DNB Bank, working with bank lending and financing for clients in the shipping and offshore sector. He also worked for six years as CFO for local vessel owner in Bergen, EGD Holding.
I hold a Master of Science degree in Business Administration from the Norwegian School of Economics.

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) – meeting sustainability requirements

Alison Kopf, CEO, TRACT, The Netherlands

Allison Kopf is a prominent agtech entrepreneur who has over a decade of experience building and scaling companies. Kopf is a pioneer in the controlled environment agriculture industry in the United States. Early in her career, she was the real estate and government relations manager at BrightFarms, responsible for scaling up projects and improving operational performance. In 2015, she founded the company, Artemis, which built traceability, compliance, and risk software for the fresh produce industry.

Artemis scaled to become the largest enterprise software company in the greenhouse industry and was acquired by IUNU, the leading artificial intelligence company in the industry in 2021. Kopf scaled commercial growth for the business leading to the company’s highest growth years in history.
Allison was named one of Forbes 30 Under 30 as well as the 2021 Global Women Fresh “Woman of Impact,” and has spoken on the future of agriculture at TEDx, Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit, Forbes AgTech Summit and the Alltech Ideas Conference.

She is also an investment partner at XFactor Ventures, has mentored over 100 startu-ps, and sits on the boards of Santa Clara University’s College of Arts and Sciences and the Ciocca Center for Entrepreneurship.

EU sustainability demands – a round-up of EU policies, feedstock pressures and theavailability of used cooking oil (UCO) and tallow.

Rohaise Low, Director of Oleochemicals and Biofuels Research,Agri-business division, GlobalData, UK

Rohaise leads GlobalData’s (formerly LMC International) Biofuels and Oleochemicals Team which she has been part of for 13 years, analyzing biofuels markets around the world, covering all aspects from feedstocks and policies to prices and by-products.

She has specialized in analyzing raw material and by-product markets, appraising investment projects for new biofuels plants, assessing the impact of changes in biofuel policies, as well as evaluating the impact of technological developments within the biofuels sector.

Over recent years, the focus on lowering carbon emissions has seen biofuels producers shift their focus to wastes and residues as feedstocks. Rohaise has led research into the competition between these waste feedstocks and soybean oil and other vegetable oils, looking at their supply and how they fit into the biofuels market.

Global vegetable oil market – current prices and future trends

Thomas Mielke, Editor and CEO of Oil World

Trends in palm and soft oil freight rates

Francesco Morici, Chartering, Navquim Spain

After a decade at sea exclusively on Chemical Tankers with the rank of Chief Mate, in 2006 Francesco moved to shore basis job first as a Supercargo for an Italian Owner, then in Chartering for Stolt Tankers in Rotterdam (from 2007 to 2020), where was part of a team focusing on Asia Exports and world wide logistic for carriage of Vegetable/ Soft oils/ chemicals.

At the moment he is working as Chartering Manager for Navquim BV in Marbella, Spain, covering the commercial activity of a fleet of 13 stainless ships involved in transportation of chemicals, soft oils and biofuels. He currently serves as member of the Fosfa Oils and Fats Committee and is also an accredited Fosfa Arbitrator.

The global and South American soyabean market - expectations for the year ahead

Laura Pereira, Sunflower & Olive Oil Specialist, Aboissa

Laura Pereira is a globally recognized expert in the vegetable oil industry. With a strong academic foundation in International Affairs and Agribusiness, she has dedicated her career to understanding the complexities of the global vegetable oil market. Her in-depth specialization in sunflower and olive oils, coupled with extensive experience in international trade, has positioned her as a leading authority in the field.

Based in Brazil, with Spanish origins, Laura is a prominent figure in the international vegetable oil arena. Her expertise in navigating the complex landscape of global trade, coupled with her in-depth knowledge of Latin American agricultural production, has made her a sought-after speaker at industry conferences worldwide.

Regional oil market developments: India and China

Tim Worledge, Editorial Director, Fastmarkets

Tim is a co-founder and director of the company, who has joint responsibility for the strategic direction of the company. A former director at S&P Global Platts, Tim led the agriculture reporting team that was instrumental in the development of the Black Sea swaps market and has been at the forefront of price reporting for 10 years.

He was also responsible for Platts’ benchmark biofuels assessments, including global ethanol benchmarks. Before moving into agriculture, Tim was an oil market pricing expert focusing on the European refined product markets.

The Port of Rotterdam - key vegetable oil hub - and future challenges

Kesih van den Berg- Dominicus, Senior Business Manager Bulk Cargo and Shipping, The Port of Rotterdam

Over 20 years of experience in logistics and distribution. Started in sales at a chemical company, moved to lead buyer specialty chemicals and logistic services and back to sales and marketing for an international inspection company.

Past 8 years she has been working for the Port of Rotterdam Authorities at the commercial department responsible for relations with port agents, shipping companies and charterers in dry and liquid bulk.

She is also responsible for all Ship to Ship operations at owned assets and involved in several cases regarding (upcoming) regulations and their effects on port operations.

Kesih has a bachelor in Management, Economics and Law, with a specialization in Law and aims to finally finish her Master in Logistics and Supply chain.

The Port of Rotterdam an unlisted public limited company with the state and municipality as shareholders, the biggest port in Europe and the hub for vegoils and biofuels.