Colossal Virtual Water Exports Draining Underground Resources

Exporting water-intensive crops and fruits, such as watermelon and pistachio that comprises the virtual export of water, is taking a heavy toll on depleting groundwater resources, a faculty member of the Geology Department at Bu-Ali Sina University in Hamedan Province said.
“Close to 1 million tons of watermelon are sold to neighboring countries annually, due to which at least 300 million cubic meters of water are extracted from dwindling groundwater resources in a country that is among the top three with the highest land subsidence rate,” Hesam Mohseni was also quoted as saying by ISNA.
Annual watermelon production in Iran is about 3 million tons, of which 40% are exported to 43 countries, he added, noting that the production of each kilo of the water-intensive crop requires at least 300 liters of water.