Agriculture Uses About Two-Thirds of All Freshwater--Seventy Liters of Water Needed to Produce One Apple

We seldom know how much water is needed to produce the food we eat or the goods we buy. The virtual water content of products varies greatly.

According to Water Footprint Network, rice consumes about 21% and wheat about 12% of the total volume of water used for crop production. Approximately 13 liters of water is needed to produce 1 tomato, 25 for 1 potato, 35 for 1 cup of tea, 40 for 1 slice of bread and 120 for 1 glass of wine.

Livestock products use much more water than crop products. For production of 1 kilogram of beef 2000-
16 000 liters of water is needed and for 1 kilogram of wheat 800-4000 liters. It is estimated that Americans eat 125 kg of beef each per year, more than 3 times of the world consumption. A total of 2400 liters of water is needed to produce 1 hamburger.

A person needs daily on average 2-3 liters of water for drinking, and 3000 liters for production of daily intake of food.

By 2050 the world population will increase by 3 billion people. With a growing world population the demand for freshwater will rise significantly. Close to 90% of the population growth will be in the developing countries with already limited water resources today. Water resources will also be affected by an increased demand for energy since water is needed for energy production.

For the last hundred years water use has been increasing at twice the rate of population growth. The ten largest water users are India, China, the United States, Pakistan, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Mexico and the Russian Federation.

Africa and Asia are withdrawing more than 80% of water for agriculture and only 10% for industry. On the other hand, Europe and North America are withdrawing less than 40% for agriculture and 50% for industry.

Climate, inadequate agricultural practices and high consumption, particularly of meat and industrial goods, are contributing to the total water footprint of individual countries. High consumption of meat and industrial goods accounts for a very high water footprint of United States, Canada, and European countries, while climate and inadequate agricultural practices account for a high footprint of the developing countries in Africa and Asia.

According to FAO, 14% more of freshwater will be needed in agriculture in the next three decades to meet demand for food.

Agriculture is fundamental for poverty reduction. Major water irrigation projects and water investments play a big role in economic growth. About 36% of the world's work force is employed in agricultural sector.

Future investments in agricultural water management can secure water for other purposes. FAO reports that a 1% increase in water productivity in agriculture can free 24 liters of water a day per person. Producing more with less water is the key.

Countries with water scarcity can save domestic water resources by importing goods with high virtual water content or for which a lot of water is needed to produce and by exporting products for which less water is needed.

Water Footprint Network states that 16% of global water use is export-related.

Global trade in virtual water generates significant global water savings. With every import, we are also importing virtual water. FAO is estimating that savings from virtual water transfer through trade with food total 385 000 million cubic meters of water.

Source: Water Footprint Network, FAO