The high yield variability/export availability from this region has already demonstrated its impact on world commodity price volatility. Agriculture consumes about 70% of the world’s freshwater withdrawals (45% in OECD countries). Water use projections to 2050 suggest that the water supply to some 47% of the world’s population, mostly in developing countries, will be under severe stress, largely because of developments outside of agriculture. In some instances, supporting agricultural production may not be regarded as the most socially or economically desirable use for scarce water supplies.