Effect of Consumption of Livestock Products on Water Consumption in China Based on Virtual Water Theory

Increasing consumption of residential livestock products leads to great demand for water, which becomes a serious problem in water-poor countries. From a perspective of the whole production chain of livestock, we analyzed the influence of growth of the livestock production on the demand for regional water based on virtual water theory. The influence of consumption of livestock products on the regional water demand followed the path that started from the increase in consumption of animal products, developed at the growth of livestock production and cereal production of upstream products, and ended at the rising demand for regional water. Finally, virtual water trade was proposed for water deficient areas to minimize the influence of consumption of livestock products on the regional water demand. The contents of the virtual water trade included international or regional imports of livestock and feed products and establishment of sustainable food consumption pattern. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.