Determinants of Food Consumption Water Footprint in the MENA Region: The Case of Tunisia

Asma Souissi, Nadhem Mtimet, Laura McCann, Ali Chebil and Chokri Thabet
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Asma Souissi: Higher Agronomic Institute of Chott Meriam, University of Sousse, Sousse 4002, Tunisia
Nadhem Mtimet: International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Cairo 1191, Egypt
Laura McCann: Division of Applied Social Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
Ali Chebil: National Research Institute for Rural Engineering, Water and Forestry, University of Carthage, Tunis 1054, Tunisia
Chokri Thabet: Higher Agronomic Institute of Chott Meriam, University of Sousse, Sousse 4002, Tunisia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: Tunisia, like most countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, has limited renewable water resources and is classified as a water stress country. The effects of climate change are exacerbating the situation. The agricultural sector is the main consumer (80%) of blue water reserves. In this study, to better understand the factors that influence the food water footprint of Tunisian consumers, we used a multiple linear regression model (MLR) to analyze data from 4853 households. The innovation in this paper consists of integrating effects of socio-economic, demographic, and geographic trends on the food consumption water footprint into the assessment of water and food security. The model results showed that regional variations in food choices meant large differences in water footprints, as hypothesized. Residents of big cities are more likely to have a large water footprint. Significant variability in water footprints, due to different food consumption patterns and socio-demographic characteristics, was also noted. Food waste is also one of the determining factors of households with a high water footprint. This study provides a new perspective on the water footprint of food consumption using “household” level data. These dietary water footprint estimates can be used to assess potential water demand scenarios as food consumption patterns change. Analysis at the geographic and socio-demographic levels helps to inform policy makers by identifying realistic dietary changes.

Keywords: consumer behavior; food water footprint; modeling; sustainability; Tunisia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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