Spatial Mismatch in China's Food System Affects Water-Land Resources

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from Shandong Women's University have conducted a simulation study to explore the impact of the inter-provincial circulation of vegetables on China's water-land resources. The study, published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, found that while the circulation of vegetables has alleviated the problem of land resource mismatch, it has also led to the decline of water resource use efficiency in China.

Key Takeaways:

  • The spatial mismatch between food consumption and water-land resources affects food security and the sustainable use of water-land resources in China.
  • China's vegetable production can generally meet the domestic demand, but there is a huge difference between supply and demand among provinces, and more than half of the provinces have vegetable shortages.
  • The circulation of vegetables accounted for 27.43% of the national vegetable production, showing obvious regional circulation characteristics.
  • The water resources implied in vegetable circulation accounted for 19.66% of the total water resources required for vegetable production in China, and the land resources accounted for 18.76%.
  • The study suggests that the inter-provincial circulation of vegetables has improved the efficiency of land resource use but led to the decline of water resource use efficiency in China.
  • Lei Zhang from Shandong Women's University and his team conducted the research, which aims to provide an important theoretical basis for the cultivation and transportation of vegetables between regions.
  • The study can also serve as a reference for the country to promote the sustainable transformation and development of the agricultural food system.

Statistics:

  • 27.43% of the national vegetable production is accounted for by the circulation of vegetables.
  • The water resources implied in vegetable circulation account for 19.66% of the total water resources required for vegetable production in China.
  • The land resources accounted for 18.76% of the total land resources required for vegetable production in China.

Sources:

  • The interprovincial circulation of vegetables in China and its impact on virtual water and virtual land resources. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2025,9.
  • Frontiers Media S.A. (publisher)
  • Lei Zhang, et al. (researchers)