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.

Economic comparison of different production models, focusing on production costs and economic viability–profitability are essential to guide decision-making and enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the agri-food chain. This is the overall objective of the paper: to establish the production and cost structure and to economically evaluate two greenhouse pepper production models. Data on the production process of the production models (organic and conventional greenhouse pepper) and their cost and income structures were collected through 15 on-site surveys conducted with growers and horticultural sector technicians. The initial investment is very high (140,030 €·ha⁻¹) and requires a significant financial effort for implementation, being the same for both conventional and organic cultivation, this means that fixed costs are high in percentage terms, especially when compared to other intensive outdoor horticultural crops. The key cost differences between the two systems are found in fertilisers, plant protection treatments, and biotechnological control and cost structure indicates a higher unit cost for organically produced peppers, 0.60 €·kg⁻¹ for conventional and 0.75 €·kg⁻¹ for organic production. Greenhouse pepper cultivation in southeastern Spain is an economically viable and profitable activity under both conventional and organic management. Profitability indicators consistently show that the conventional system is more profitable at the same farm scale or size.