Max Merbis

Max Merbis serves as Visiting Fellow in Economics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's School of Business and Economics and as research associate at the Amsterdam Center for World Food Studies. Previously deputy director (2001) and acting director (2014-2016) of the Centre for World Food Studies (SOW-VU), he maintains active policy engagement with EU institutions and national governments.

Education:

• PhD in Economics, Tilburg University (1986)

His research examines food security dynamics in developing countries, focusing on European agricultural policy impacts (CAP), WTO frameworks, biofuel implications, price volatility, and shifting meat consumption patterns. Field studies span Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ukraine, China, and the Middle East with emphasis on smallholder farming viability and policy reform consequences.

Recent publications demonstrate continuity in analyzing vulnerable food systems, particularly nutrition challenges in Small Island Developing States and climate-adaptive agriculture in conflict zones like the West Bank's Jordan Valley.

Professional Engagement:

• Policy advisor to European Commission, European Parliament, and Dutch Ministries
• Expert meetings for Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2015)
• Workshop lectures on commodity markets and data management for international agencies

Merbis contributes directly to UN Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 12 (Responsible Consumption) through collaborative research addressing global food system resilience and equitable agricultural development.