Environmental and Socioeconomic Determinants of Virtual Water Trade of Grain Products: An Empirical Analysis of South Korea Using Decomposition and Decoupling Model

The world’s sustainable growth is being severely hampered by the inefficient use of water resources. Despite widely acknowledged importance trade in global and regional food security, societal reliance on local production, as well international trade, remains inadequately assessed. Therefore, using South Korea a case study, this study fills research gap applying virtual concept, logarithmic mean divisia index (LMDI) method, Tapio decoupling model. concept was used to estimate Korea’s net for major grain crops from 1992 2017. Then, LMDI method utilized assess driving factors causing changes trade. Lastly, model investigate relationships between economic results showed that importer flows with respect crops, an average import 16,559.24 million m3 over period. In addition, change could be attributed intensity effect, product structure population effect. However, effects were decisive decreases increases respectively, while had minor positive influences Furthermore, strong most periods, state observed expansive negative decoupling. Likewise, size weak periods. reveal status it concerns thus providing valuable insights into sustainability activities management