The water footprint and virtual water exports of Spanish tomatoes

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D. CHICO et al. 41different productions. While the provinces irrigated with surfacewater produce mainly tomatoes intended for the industryin open-air systems, those accounted for as irrigated withgroundwater produce fresh tomato for export, more valuable.Virtual water exports related to tomato exports representabout 2.5% of total Spanish water exports, without consideringgrey water (Garrido et al., 2010). However, in economicterms (€/m 3 ) tomato exports are 350% larger than the averageexports (Garrido et al., 2010), with 8.81 €/m 3 comparedwith the average 2.5 €/m 3 of the average exports. Reducingthe blue and green water footprint of tomato production willnot be easy because of plant physiology restrictions, but thegrey water component can be significantly reduced. Shouldthis be achieved by optimizing the timing and technique ofNitrogen applications, so that less is needed and/or lessleaches or runs off, Spanish tomato exports’s sustainabilitywould significantly improve. Water footprint evaluationsthat omit the grey component would lead to incomplete conclusions,as they may lead to increase efficiency in direct waterconsumption but fail to take into account the environmentalpressure related to pollution.Finally, the water footprint contextualized in space andtime can provide useful information for benchmarking, indentifyingbest practices and achieving a more integratedwater resource management. However, to obtain a comprehensivepicture, not only the (eco) efficiency in terms ofm 3 /ton should be considered, but also the context-specific totalcumulative water footprint.7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSWe would like to thank Professor A. Saa, J. M.ª Duránand C. Hernández of the Technical University of Madrid for
42 THE WATER FOOTPRINT OF TOMATO PRODUCTIONtheir help and useful advices. We also would like to thankthe M. Botín Foundation for financially supporting thisproject. The contents of the report remain the responsibilityof the authors.9. REFERENCESAldaya, M. M. and Llamas, M.R. (2009) Water Footprint Analysis (Hydrologicand Economic) of the Guadiana River basin. The United NationsWorld Water Assessment Programme, Scientific Paper. United NationsEducational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, ParisAldaya, M. M. and Hoekstra, A. Y., (2010) The water needed for Italiansto eat pasta and pizza. Agricultural systems 103, 351-360.Andalusian Water Agency (2010). Proyecto del plan hidrológico de la demarcaciónhidrográfica de las cuencas mediterráneas andaluzas. [online]Available from:http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/site/web/menuitem.a5664a214f73c3df81d8899661525ea0/?vgnextoid=c00b8e2d2f5b8210Vgn-VCM1000001325e50aRCRD&vgnextchannel=ee8feb3d87605210Vgn-VCM1000001325e50aRCRD [accessed on July 2010].Bertuglia, A. and Calatrava Requena, J. (2008) Las explotaciones hortícolasbajo plástico del litoral oriental granadino. Horticultura internacional, 64.Campillo, C. (2007) Estudio para el diseño de un sistema de recomendaciónde manejo de agua en rotaciones de cultivo hortícolas en las vegas del Guadiana.Tesis Doctoral, Universidad de Extremadura.Castilla, N. (2007) Invernaderos de plástico: Tecnología y manejo. 2ª ed.,Ed. Mundi-Prensa, Madrid, Spain.CEC, M.Th., 1985. Soil Map of the European Communities Office for OfficialPublications for the EC, Luxembourg. 124 pp. 7 maps.
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