Uzbekistan can optimize its water resource management by focusing on exporting products with lower water consumption in production (e.g., pharmaceuticals, processed foods, electronics, machinery et al.) while importing water-intensive products (e.g., cotton, beef, nuts, rice, wheat, almonds, sugar, textiles et al.). An estimated 8,46 trillion liters of virtual water have been exported from Uzbekistan through the trade of gold. Recent trade policy indicates positive developments in managing virtual water; however, it remains unclear whether these objectives were deliberately pursued or arose as unintended benefits. Although the virtual water trade balance appears positive, with exports surpassing imports by approximately 2,08 trillion liters, this outcome is misleading. As a water-stressed nation, Uzbekistan’s role as a net virtual water exporter poses critical challenges for sustainable water management and raises concerns about long-term water security.
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