Evaluation of the water consumption of animal products and the virtual water flow pattern associated with interprovincial trade in China

Currently, the spatial mismatch between water and animal production in China has posed a great problem for the common security of food and water. Specially, the water resources in northern China are facing severer challenges due to the poor physical water condition and the increasing virtual water outflow. To analyze the characteristics of water consumption and virtual water flow embedded in animal products, this study assessed the water footprint of major animal products in 31 provinces and simulated the virtual water flow associated with the inter-provincial animal products trade, and also evaluated the effects of virtual water flow on regional water stress and economic development. The results show that the total water footprint of animal products is 392.81 billion m3, of which meat accounts for 81.20%. Besides, the water footprint of various animal products in different regions are significantly different, mainly owing to the local climatic condition and economic development degree. The virtual water flow associated with animal products is mainly from the water-scarce and underdeveloped northern regions to the water-rich and developed southern regions, which is as much as 61.39 billion m3 in 2015, accounting for more than 15% of the total water footprint of animal products. Therefore, the current virtual water flow pattern not only seriously aggravates the water scarcity in the output areas, but also widens the economic gap between the output areas and the input areas. To effectively solve aforementioned problems, this study proposed some countermeasures, including the improvement of water use efficiency for animal production, the adjustment of regional industrial structure to low-water and high-profit degree, and the integrated management framework of physical and virtual water. [Display omitted] •There is a mismatch between water resources and animal production in China.•The water consumption characteristics related to animal products are evaluated.•The virtual water flow pattern embedded in animal products trade is simulated.•Virtual water flows mainly from the water-scarce north to the water-rich south.•Current flow pattern will threaten water security and widen the economic gap.