Water and food production in numbers
27th September 2026
Water is hidden in every nook and cranny of the food industry. Let’s take a look at water and food numbers shaping UK food production.
We all know that water is one of the most important resources behind the UK’s food supply.
It is used in growing crops, supporting livestock, food processing, cleaning and manufacturing. There’s no question about it – water is an essential part of the food industry and the supply chain that goes into food production.
In 2024, the UK agri-food sector contributed £162.3 billion in Gross Value Added, an increase of 6.6% compared with 2023. But recent drought conditions have also demonstrated just how vulnerable parts of that food chain can be when water becomes scarce.
So, what’s the real value of water to UK food production and how can we protect it?
How much water does food production use?
Food and drink manufacturing alone has a recent direct-abstraction baseline of 19.6 million cubic metres a year – equivalent to around 53.6 million litres a day. And that’s direct abstraction rather than total water use, which also includes water supplied through the public network.
Recent drought conditions have made the picture even more concerning – not just in terms of the supply available for manufacturing processes but, of course, further up the supply chain in agriculture.
In mid-August 2026, 71% of England by land area was in drought, with reservoir storage at 65.9%. That is 13.8% below the long-term average for the time of year. According to reports, this drove the lowest yield in cereal and oilseed in nearly half a century and the worst overall harvest since 1984.
According to Rebalance Earth, 81% of England’s fresh produce is located in regions that were defined as “water stressed” in 2027, putting the likes of wheat and barley at significant risk.
What can we expect in the future?
It’s always hard to look into the crystal ball when it comes to climate and the weather but, according to experts, there is a very real likelihood of a long-term shortfall in water availability coming our way in the UK if we don’t act.
It is estimated that by 2050, an additional 5 billion litres of water a day could be needed to support population growth, the economy, food production and the environment. This makes water efficiency a key factor in business resilience.
Where can food businesses improve their water efficiency?
For food businesses, improving efficiency starts with understanding what you’re already using.
Check for unexplained consumption outside production hours, leaks and continuously running equipment. Alongside this, it’s important to review water-intensive activities such as washdowns, cleaning, hoses and processing equipment. Where appropriate, businesses can also explore opportunities for water reuse or rainwater harvesting.
A water audit can also help identify where the biggest opportunities lie. Everflow’s EcoMOT service combines an expert site visit with practical water-saving improvements and a bespoke report showing potential savings. EcoMOTs have been shown to deliver bill savings of over 20% for many small and medium-sized businesses.
With every litre becoming more valuable, understanding where your water goes today could help make your business more resilient for tomorrow. And if you’re weighing up a business water price comparison, or thinking of a business water switch, Everflow can help with that too.
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