Savings and Losses of Scarce Virtual Water in the International Trade of Wheat, Maize, and Rice

• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074119
• Publication Date: 2022-03-31T01:22:14Z
• Authors: Hanfei Wu; Ruochen Jin; Ao Liu; Shiyun Jiang; Li Chai
• Keywords: Virtual water; Water Stress; Scarcity; Water use

The international cereal trade can mitigate global water stress by saving virtual scarce (VSW). Based on bilateral data, this study assessed VSW savings and losses in the of three major cereals (i.e., wheat, maize, rice) from 2008 to 2017 incorporating index (WSI) into a assessment. We found that wheat maize saved significant amount VSW, while rice led increasingly severe VSW. This identified top trades for each cereal. Wheat were primarily exported countries are relatively abundant resources (e.g., United States, Brazil, Argentina, Russia) water-scarce Mexico Egypt), whereas was mainly India Pakistan, two most water-stressed countries. suggest policy makers consider when making trading decisions alleviate stress.