The latest 2026 Prologis Supply Chain Outlook report provides profound insights into global supply chain trends for the coming decade. Based on feedback from over 1,800 senior executives across the U.S., Europe, Asia and Mexico, the report reveals how global supply chain leaders are undertaking a "great reconfiguration" of their strategic approaches.
The core finding indicates that as persistent disruptions become normalized, resilience now stands equal to efficiency as a priority. Regionalization, AI adoption and energy resilience are emerging as defining characteristics of future supply chains.
Research Methodology
The report combines quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with executives from diverse industries and company sizes. Respondents represented all supply chain functions including procurement, manufacturing, logistics, warehousing and distribution.
Key Findings: The Resilience Imperative
Supply chain disruptions have transitioned from exceptional events to operational constants. Recent crises demonstrate this pattern:
- The 2011 Japan earthquake disrupting automotive and electronics sectors
- 2018 U.S.-China trade war triggering supply chain reconfigurations
- COVID-19 pandemic causing global operational paralysis
- 2021 Suez Canal blockage creating worldwide logistics bottlenecks
- 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict exacerbating energy and commodity volatility
In response, companies are implementing multiple resilience measures:
- 56% have deployed new technologies for operational visibility
- 50% established risk monitoring systems
- 48% increased safety stock buffers
The Regionalization Shift
58% of executives plan to prioritize regional supply chains by 2030, driven by:
- Geopolitical instability necessitating supply chain diversification
- Trade protectionism motivating production localization
- Consumer demand for faster fulfillment
- Advanced manufacturing technologies enabling nearshoring
Implementation challenges include:
- Significant capital requirements for facility relocation
- Workforce development needs in new locations
- Infrastructure gaps requiring public-private collaboration
AI's Transformational Role
70% of companies currently utilize AI, primarily for:
- Quality control automation
- Predictive risk analytics
- Demand forecasting
- Inventory optimization
Adoption barriers include data quality issues, algorithmic bias concerns, and specialized talent shortages.
Energy Resilience Challenges
While 90% of firms experienced energy-related disruptions last year, only 27% maintain robust backup systems. Recommended mitigation strategies include:
- Diversifying energy sources
- Investing in on-site generation capacity
- Improving energy efficiency
- Collaborating with local utilities and governments
Strategic Implications
The report underscores that traditional efficiency-focused supply chain models must evolve to incorporate:
- Multi-layered risk monitoring systems
- Technology-enabled operational visibility
- Regional production and distribution networks
- AI-driven decision support
- Energy contingency planning
As supply chain leaders navigate this transformation, success will require balancing short-term adaptation with long-term strategic repositioning.