*3.2. Total Virtual Water Trade*

Pakistan's annual total virtual water import, although with some inter-annual fluctuations, grew at an annual average rate of 5% between 1990 and 2016 (Figure 1, the sum of yearly points along the red lines). The yearly average of total virtual water import was 8216 million m3 (Mm3), 11,218 Mm3 and 12,202 Mm3 during the periods 1990–1999, 2000–2009 and 2010–2016, respectively. The annual total virtual water import through agricultural commodities by Pakistan dropped significantly after 2008, from 17,799 Mm3 in 2008 to 10,257 Mm<sup>3</sup> in 2011, after which it started to increase again. The drop in total virtual water import between 2008 and 2011 was mainly due to a decrease in imports of cotton lint by Pakistan.

**Figure 1.** Virtual water import (VWI) and virtual water export (VWE) of different agricultural commodities by Pakistan (1990–2016). Red lines indicate VWI and blue lines indicate VWE. Food crops include rice, wheat, maize, other cereals, oilseed crops, palm oil, sugar, vegetables, fruits and tea; Cash crops include cotton and tobacco; Livestock includes beef, mutton and poultry. Source: Authors' calculations based on data from Reference [39] (trade volumes) and sources mentioned in the Methods section (VWC).

The annual total virtual water exports through the agricultural commodities (Figure 1, the sum of yearly points along the blue lines), however, saw a more rapid and steady increase over the years. Starting at an average of 6663 Mm3/year during 1990–1999, the total virtual water export moved to an average 8345 Mm3/year during 2000–2009 and reached 14,205 Mm3/year during 2010–2016; thus, recording a 113% increase over the period 1990–2016. Food crops (mainly rice) exports were responsible for the rise in Pakistan's total virtual water export.

During the study period, Pakistan's virtual water import (VWI) and virtual water export (VWE) have been dominated by trade in food crops (Figure 1). On average, food crops accounted for over 82% of the total VWI and over 84% of the VWE by the studied commodities. Not only the share of food crops in VWE was higher, but the VWE of food crops has also been increasing rapidly since 2005. VWI of cash crops was low in the early 1990s, after which it started to rise and reached the historical peak (7308 Mm3) in 2008, before sliding down to a relatively lower level in the later years. During 2008, VWI through cash crops increased mainly due to a sharp rise in imports of cotton by Pakistan. VWI and VWE of livestock have been marginal, with VWE picking up some pace since the early 2000s.
