Assessment of Virtual Water Flows in Iran Using a Multi-Regional Input-Output Analysis

Ehsan Qasemipour, Farhad Tarahomi, Markus Pahlow, Saeed Malek Sadati () and Ali Abbasi
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Ehsan Qasemipour: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 9177948974, Iran
Farhad Tarahomi: Economic Development Department, Faculty of Social Sciences and Economics, Alzahra University, Tehran 1993891176, Iran
Markus Pahlow: Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
Ali Abbasi: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 9177948974, Iran

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 18, 1-18

Abstract: The growth of Iran’s agricultural sector in the past few decades has exerted enormous pressure on its aquifers. There is a strong disparity between economic development and natural resource endowments, which threatens water and food security. In this paper, we used a multiregional input–output (MRIO) framework to assess the virtual water flows in Iran. We also estimate the internal and external water footprint of regions compared to their water availability. The results show that the northern part of the country, with no water scarcity, imported virtual water through the trade of goods and services, while severely water-scarce regions were net virtual water exporters. Iran had a net export of 1811 Mm 3 per annum. While blue water resources (surface and groundwater) accounted for 92.2% of the national water footprint, 89.1% of total exports were related to the agriculture sector, contributing to only 10.5% of the national income. The results suggest that policy-makers should reconsider the current trade policy regarding food production liberalization in order to make Iran’s limited water resources available for producing industrial goods, which can contribute more to the economy.

Keywords: virtual water trade; multiregional input–output model; water footprint; Iran (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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