This study evaluates the economic and environmental effects of replacing inorganic fertilization with organic fertilization (manure and compost) in three characteristic crops of the rainfed land of southeastern Spain: almond, olive, and barley. To do this, the conventional cultivation model of the three production systems was established and analyzed through the LCC (Life Cycle Costing) and LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) methodologies. Next, a sensitivity analysis was performed to see the effects of the substitution. In the three conventional systems, inorganic fertilizers represent at least 11% of the total costs. At the same time, they are the element with the greatest global contribution to environmental impacts (between 60 and 88%). Through the sensitivity analysis, it was shown that tillage practices that involve the addition of manure or compost not only reduce costs for the three crops (with a maximum reduction of EUR 88/ha in the case of olive trees with compost application), but also most of the impact categories evaluated. In terms of global warming, the reduction varies from 2–9% depending on the crop and the organic fertilizer used. And if we take into account that the production of inorganic fertilizers is avoided, the results of this category decrease between 28% and 48%.

Spain is the world’s leading producer and exporter of fresh lemons, with production concentrated in the southeast. The significance of this region in lemon production and the impact of agriculture on the economy and environment make optimizing lemon cultivation crucial. The main production models of lemon in Southeastern Spain (conventional Fino and Verna) are established and evaluated economically and environmentally through life cycle costing (LCC) and life cycle assessment (LCA). Both models have a similar cost structure, with variable costs (94% of the total) being the most significant, particularly labor and irrigation, followed by fertilizers and pest control. The key difference is in productivity; Verna has a higher unit cost due to lower productivity. As in LCC, in LCA the contributions of the components to the impacts of the models are very similar due to the similarities in the production models. However, Fino shows lower absolute values due to higher productivity. Fertilizers are the component with the highest contributions to the impacts, specifically their manufacture. For global warming, low values were obtained: 0.063 and 0.081 kg CO₂-eq·kg⁻¹ for Fino and Verna, respectively, which may result from diverse factors: high productivity, low pesticide and machinery use, and low nitrous oxide emissions because of aridity. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was performed on the origin of water sources and calculation methods of pesticide emissions.

En el presente trabajo se evalúa la sostenibilidad de tres sistemas de cultivo de viña característicos de la Región de Murcia: cultivo en vaso en secano, cultivo en espaldera en regadío para vinos v.c.p.r.d. (vino de calidad producido en una región determinada) y, por último, cultivo en regadío destinado a vino de mesa o a granel. Para ello se realizó el análisis descriptivo económico, social y ambiental de los sistemas mediante las metodologías de análisis financiero y análisis de ciclo de vida. En la situación actual, en la que el sistema de pago mayoritario de la uva para vino es por kilogrados, el sistema de regadío para vinos a granel es el más rentable y el más favorable socialmente, debido a la mayor producción. Sin embargo, considerando la competitividad en base a aspectos de calidad y medio ambientales, los sistemas de cultivo en secano y en regadío para vinos v.c.p.r.d. son los que debieran potenciarse. Ahora bien, para que sean sistemas sostenibles es necesario que la calidad de la uva juegue un papel importante en el sistema de pago, de tal manera que se alcancen unos valores óptimos de rentabilidad que permitan superar la vulnerabilidad económica actual de dichos sistemas.

Europe ranks second in global broccoli production and first in exports, with Spain leading the sector. In Spain, cultivation is concentrated in the southeast, especially the Region of Murcia, one of the main producing areas. The study has three objectives: (1) to establish the characteristic cultivation model of the region, (2) to perform an analysis of the cost structure, and (3) to carry out a sensitivity analysis considering variability in irrigation water prices and the use of organic fertilizers to assess their cost impact. The base information was obtained from surveys conducted with representative farmers of the production sector during the year 2025. The cost structure analysis highlights the dominance of labor-related tasks. Preparation and planting, along with harvesting, are especially significant, accounting for over 34% and 18% of total costs, respectively. Despite this, broccoli generates only 0.22 AWU·ha⁻¹, lower than other horticultural crops. Irrigation is another key cost factor, due to the high price of water. Sensitivity analysis shows that sharp increases in water costs significantly raise overall expenses. Likewise, the high cost of liquid organic fertilizers results in the crop being unfeasible, in contrast to the results obtained with solid organic and synthetic inorganic fertilizers, or the combination of solid and liquid organic fertilizers.

Spain is the world’s leading producer of organic fresh lemons, with production concentrated in the southeast. Given the relevance of this region in lemon production and the role of organic agriculture in sustainable development, this study establishes the main organic lemon production models in Southeastern Spain (Fino and Verna) and evaluates them from the economic and environmental perspective using life cycle costing (LCC) and life cycle assessment (LCA). Both models present a similar cost structure, with labor and fertilization being the most significant costs. Verna presents higher unit cost due to lower productivity. Organic management entails higher unit costs than conventional due to lower productivity and the higher costs of organic fertilization and biotechnological pest control. In LCA, the contributions of the components to the impacts of the organic models are very similar, due to the similarities in the production models. These contributions also resemble those in conventional management systems, with fertilizers being the largest contributor to impacts. Organic systems generally show lower absolute values than conventional, mainly because of the use of organic fertilizers. Fino shows lower values than Verna, driven by higher productivity. The global warming results showed relatively low emissions, 0.053 and 0.068 kg CO₂ eq·kg⁻¹ for Fino and Verna, respectively. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was performed, introducing variability in non-fresh marketable yields and considering the avoidance of synthetic fertilizers.

This study is an economic evaluation of a composting facility in southeastern Spain (applying Life Cycle Costing), a key region in European horticulture with a significant availability of agricultural biomass. Composting helps reduce dependence on inorganic fertilizers, aligning with European policies that promote the transition toward organic fertilization practices. In addition, compost enhances soil health, increases soil organic carbon, and supports climate change mitigation. Despite its agronomic and environmental benefits, and the large availability of biomass in this region, there is a notable lack of literature addressing the economic costs of composting, which is the first step in assessing the sustainability of a production process. The proposed facility (production: 9000 tonnes of compost per year) utilizes pruning residues and manure to produce high-quality organic amendments. The analysis includes infrastructure, equipment, and every operational input. Likewise, the analysis also provides socio-economic indicators such as employment generation and contribution to the regional economy. Three scenarios were evaluated based on the pruning–shredding location: at the plant, at the farm with mobile equipment, and at the farm with conventional machinery. The most cost-effective option was shredding at the farm using mobile equipment, reducing the unit cost to EUR 65.19 per tonne due to the transport of a smaller volume of prunings and, therefore, lower fuel consumption. The plant also demonstrates high productivity per square metre and generates stable employment in rural areas. Overall, the findings highlight composting as a viable and competitive strategy within circular and low-carbon agricultural systems.