Global Food Sector Under Water Threat Like No Other Time

Food and beverage producers face rising costs that could curtail growth as water shortages and pollution become more severe, a group of investors warned in a new report.

Water scarcity is already impacting companies in drought-stricken regions such as California and Brazil, according to the report Thursday from Ceres, a Boston-based coalition of investors with more than $13 trillion in assets. While some producers are taking steps to manage water risks, most have fallen short, Ceres said.