Producing just one pound of tomatoes requires over 20 gallons of water.

Agriculture is one of the most water-intensive industries on Earth, and tomatoes are a primary example of this demand. According to data from the Water Footprint Network, the global average water footprint for tomatoes is approximately 214 liters per kilogram. When converted to U.S. measurements, this equals roughly 25.6 gallons of water for every pound of fruit produced.The high water requirement is largely due to a process called evapotranspiration. This occurs when water travels from the soil, through the roots and stems, and eventually evaporates from the leaves. For every pound of fruit harvested, the plant has already cycled through dozens of gallons to maintain its structure and transport nutrients.Tomatoes are biologically composed of about 94% to 95% water, making them one of the most hydrating vegetables in the human diet. During the peak growing season, a single tomato plant can require up to one gallon of water per day to prevent blossom end rot and wilting. In commercial farming, irrigation efficiency plays a critical role in managing these high requirements.Environmental factors such as heat, wind, and soil quality can increase this water demand even further. In arid regions like California’s Central Valley, which produces a significant portion of the world's tomatoes, farmers use precision drip irrigation to minimize waste. Despite these technologies, the biological necessity for water remains a constant challenge for sustainable agriculture.