Water is indispensable to the European food and drink industry. It is used at every stage of the production process and is vital to ensuring food safety and maintain consumer confidence in products. Without reliable access to clean water, the sector cannot operate. Climate change and mounting water-related risks – associated to quality and quantity aspects of water management – now pose a direct threat to its ability to produce, plan, and grow sustainably.
Across Europe, companies are working to reduce water use, adopt circular practices, and invest in resilience. However, fragmented policy implementation, ageing infrastructure, legal uncertainty, and limited access to finance continue to constrain progress. Achieving meaningful water resilience requires a more coherent and enabling policy framework, one that reflects operational realities and supports action across the agri-food value chain.
This report presents FoodDrinkEurope’s contribution to the implementation of the European Commission’s Water Resilience Strategy, published on 4 June 2025. It highlights the food and drink sector’s unique exposure to water risks, outlines barriers to progress, and sets out practical, actionable policy recommendations to support long-term water resilience across the agri-food value chain.