*The source adds the following information: "We derived data from a comprehensive meta-analysis, identifying 1530 studies for potential inclusion, which were supplemented with additional data received from 139 authors. Studies were assessed against 11 criteria designed to standardize methodology, resulting in 570 suitable studies with a median reference year of 2010. The data set covers ~38,700 commercially viable farms in 119 countries and 40 products representing ~90% of global protein and calorie consumption'.
Citation formats
Global freshwater withdrawals of food products 2018
Certain food products use considerably more water in their production than others. Globally, an average of liters of freshwater is needed to produce just one kilogram of cheese. Nut production is also water intensive, needing more than liters to produce a kilogram.
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OWID, & Expert(s) (Poore, J & Nemecek, T). (January 1, 2020). Average freshwater withdrawals of food product worldwide as of 2018 (in liters per kilogram of food product) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved August 04, 2026, from /statistics/1179835/freshwater-withdrawals-of-food-product-worldwide/
OWID, und Expert(s) (Poore, J & Nemecek, T). "Average freshwater withdrawals of food product worldwide as of 2018 (in liters per kilogram of food product)." Chart. January 1, 2020. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed August 04, 2026. /statistics/1179835/freshwater-withdrawals-of-food-product-worldwide/
OWID, Expert(s) (Poore, J & Nemecek, T). (2020). Average freshwater withdrawals of food product worldwide as of 2018 (in liters per kilogram of food product). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 04, 2026. /statistics/1179835/freshwater-withdrawals-of-food-product-worldwide/
OWID, and Expert(s) (Poore, J & Nemecek, T). "Average Freshwater Withdrawals of Food Product Worldwide as of 2018 (in Liters per Kilogram of Food Product)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 1 Jan 2020, /statistics/1179835/freshwater-withdrawals-of-food-product-worldwide/
OWID & Expert(s) (Poore, J & Nemecek, T), Average freshwater withdrawals of food product worldwide as of 2018 (in liters per kilogram of food product) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1179835/freshwater-withdrawals-of-food-product-worldwide/ (last visited August 04, 2026)
Average freshwater withdrawals of food product worldwide as of 2018 (in liters per kilogram of food product) [Graph], OWID, & Expert(s) (Poore, J & Nemecek, T), January 1, 2020. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1179835/freshwater-withdrawals-of-food-product-worldwide/
