In 2007, Angola exported some 73 million m³ of virtual water in the form of 20 highly traded agricultural commodities, mainly in palm oil which accounted for 85 % of the calculated virtual water exports. In comparison to 2002, exports of virtual water had quintupled.
Women washing fruit - Angola
Source: Image courtesy of WEDC © Wayne Conradie (Picturing Africa)
( click to enlarge )
However, the import of virtual water in agricultural trade by far exceeded the exported quantity. In 2007, almost 3.4 billion m³ of virtual water were imported with milled rice, wheat flour and chicken meat having the largest shares, just ahead of refined sugar, sausages and soybean oil. This translates to 212 m³ per capita of net imported virtual water in agricultural trade alone.
Traded Agricultural Commodities and Virtual Water (2002, 2007)
( click to enlarge )
Source: Based on FAOSTAT and Hoekstra and Chapagain 2008
