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

Author

Listed:
  • Hanfei Wu

    (International College Beijing, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Ruochen Jin

    (International College Beijing, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Ao Liu

    (International College Beijing, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
    College of Economics and Management, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Shiyun Jiang

    (International College Beijing, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Li Chai

    (International College Beijing, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
    College of Economics and Management, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China)

Abstract

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

Suggested Citation

  • Hanfei Wu & Ruochen Jin & Ao Liu & Shiyun Jiang & Li Chai, 2022. "Savings and Losses of Scarce Virtual Water in the International Trade of Wheat, Maize, and Rice," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:7:p:4119-:d:783620
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Xia Xu & Fengping Wu & Qianwen Yu & Xiangnan Chen & Yue Zhao, 2022. "Invisible Effect of Virtual Water Transfer on Water Quantity Conflict in Transboundary Rivers—Taking Ili River as a Case," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-25, July.
    2. Xia Xu & Fengping Wu & Qianwen Yu & Xiangnan Chen & Yue Zhao, 2022. "Analysis on Management Policies on Water Quantity Conflict in Transboundary Rivers Embedded with Virtual Water—Using Ili River as the Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-19, August.
    3. Golden Odey & Bashir Adelodun & Qudus Adeyi & Akinsoji Adisa Hammed & Salau Rahmon Abiodun & Kyung Sook Choi, 2024. "Quantifying Resource Nexus: Virtual Water Flows, Water Stress Indices, and Unsustainable Import Fraction in South Korea’s Grain Trade Landscape," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-19, March.
    4. Aixi Han & Ao Liu & Zhenshan Guo & Yi Liang & Li Chai, 2023. "Measuring Gains and Losses in Virtual Water Trade from Environmental and Economic Perspectives," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 85(1), pages 195-209, May.
    5. Xia Xu & Jing Yuan & Qianwen Yu & Zehao Sun, 2023. "A Study of Initial Water Rights Allocation Coupled with Physical and Virtual Water Resources," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-28, August.

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