Water – Grocery

Water is a key component in some of our Grocery businesses’ manufacturing processes and businesses continue to take steps to reduce water use and identify opportunities to reuse water where possible.

Ageing barrels for balsamic vinegar of Modena at Acetum’s factory in Cavezzo, Italy

In 2026, water abstraction across our Grocery businesses’ manufacturing sites was mostly flat compared to the previous year, increasing by 2% overall. Our Grocery businesses reused 3% of the water entering their sites in 2026.

Grocery Group

Grocery Group businesses continue to improve water efficiency by minimising water use in non-ingredient applications through operational improvements and the optimisation of production processes. In the UK, water abstraction across the Grocery Group sites has reduced by 20% since 2015. In addition, Silver Spoon's Bardney site reduced its water use by 26% compared to 2024 through improved efficiency at site over the last two years. Contributing initiatives included more efficient pump use, wash outs and recycling more water in the cooling tower.

As part of the UK Food and Drink Pact, all Grocery Group UK businesses have signed up to the WRAP Water Roadmap, which targets 50% of fresh food being sourced from areas with sustainable water management by 2030, from a 2015 baseline. They use the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) water risk tool to assess their high volume ingredients and follow WRAP stewardship guidance to reduce water risk in the supply chain.

Beyond their own operations, some Grocery Group businesses are working with suppliers and industry partners to promote efficient water management and improve water resilience across their agricultural supply chains.

For example, AB World Foods continues to provide financial support to the WRAP’s Collective Action Programme in Doñana, and more recently in Mar Menor and the Segura Basin, some of Spain’s most important fresh produce growing regions, where illegal irrigation, over-abstraction, pollution and tourism have placed significant pressure on water resources. This programme brings together growers, food businesses, government agencies, researchers and NGOs to improve understanding of water risks and strengthen water stewardship practices.