Circular economy (CE) is increasingly seen as a promising paradigm for transitioning agri-food systems towards more sustainable models of production and consumption, enabling virtuous and regenerative biological metabolisms based on strategies of eco-efficiency and eco-effectiveness. This contribution seeks to provide a theoretical and empirical framework for operationalizing the CE principles into the olive oil supply chain, that plays a central role in the agroecological systems of the Mediterranean region. A scoping literature review has been conducted in order to identify the available pathways so far explored by scholars for reshaping the olive oil supply chain from a circular perspective. The analyzed literature has been charted on the base of the circular pathway examined, and according to the supply chain subsystem(s) to which it refers. Results are discussed highlighting the main issues, the technology readiness level of the available pathways, the prevailing approaches and knowledge gaps. A synthetic evidence map is provided, framing visually the scrutinized pathways into the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s CE ‘butterfly’ graph. The work is intended to be a valuable baseline for inquiring how circularity can be advanced in the specific supply chain of olive oil, and which are the strategic opportunities, as well as the barriers to overcome, in order to foster the transition.

In the agri‐food sector, the valorization of by‐products according to a circular economy (CE) approach can be a viable solution to increase profits and improve business resilience. However, to facilitate its implementation and dissemination, it is necessary to validate the application of CE approaches in real case studies and as well as to verify their economic sustainability. This paper analyses the adoption of different circular paths of real case studies in the olive oil supply chain and assesses their degree of circularity through the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) and economic sustainability through life cycle costing (LCC). As evidenced in the scientific literature, these methodologies represent the optimal approach to assess the impact of circularity in agri‐food processes on companies' sustainability strategies. Moreover, the results can be integrated to facilitate progress toward ever‐greater sustainability. Findings show that the degree of circularity varies according to the different strategies adopted, highlighting better economic viability of firms that adopt CE strategies, whose profits are less sensitive to changes in input and output prices and therefore more resilient from an economic point of view when market fluctuations occur.

Irrigation Communities (ICs) are pivotal to sustainable agricultural water management, especially in water-scarce regions like the Mediterranean. To address increasing water scarcity, many ICs have incorporated Non-Conventional Water (NCW) sources, such as reclaimed and desalinated water, into their strategies. However, their impact on IC performance remains largely unexplored. This study aims to address this knowledge gap by examining the relationship between NCW use and IC performance in 19 communities across the Region of Murcia (southeastern Spain), one of Europe’s driest areas. A benchmarking framework based on eight key performance indicators covering operational, economic-financial, productive, and environmental dimensions was applied. Principal component analysis reduced dimensionality, followed by agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis to group ICs with similar performance. Finally, multiple regression analysis was applied to identify the main determinants of performance. Results reveal substantial heterogeneity in IC performance. The best-performing ICs excelled in operational and financial indicators but showed low productivity, while the second-best group, comprising the largest and most modernized ICs, achieved high water-use efficiency and productivity despite experiencing water supply variability and applying deficit irrigation. Although NCW improves crop water availability and overall performance, its higher costs (particularly for desalination) negatively impact gross margin. Ensuring the long-term viability of NCW requires advancements in treatment technologies, renewable energy integration, and supportive governance. The study offers valuable insights for ICs and policymakers in other semi-arid regions facing similar water challenges.

Agroecological transition toward stronger sustainability demands systemic changes in various domains across farms, agroecosystem landscapes, and broader food systems. Business model innovation plays a critical enabling role, by aligning farming systems with agroecology. However, designing or transforming farming business models presents significant challenges, as it involves a radical rethinking of the foundational architecture of value creation, delivery, and capture. This study offers a structured and actionable approach to support this process, by developing a conceptual framework that systematically integrates the FAO’s 10 Elements of Agroecology into the Business Model Canvas, drawing on an exploratory literature review and following a five-stage process. The outcome is a prototype of an Agroecological Business Model Canvas (ABMC) that serves as both an analytical and strategic tool to support the design, evaluation, and improvement of agroecological business models. The proposed ABMC redefines conventional components and introduces additional ones to fully reflect agroecological principles and incorporate evaluation elements for assessing both the transition degree and multidimensional sustainability performance. By facilitating iterative reflection and co-design, the ABMC represents a practical device for advancing Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems and supporting farmers in developing context-specific sustainable, resilient, and socially grounded agroecological business models.