Are mixed crop–livestock regions in Europe more profitable with mixed or specialized farms?

Abstract Mixed agricultural regions, which balance crop and livestock production, are often recommended to enhance resilience and sustainability. This study assesses the profit potential of mixed regions in Europe for three scenarios: (1) a combination of mixed and specialized farms, (2) mixed farms and (3) specialized farms. Using data envelopment analysis, we compare the maximum profit across scenarios. Livestock-oriented regions profit most from becoming mixed. Mixed regions are more profitable with a combination of mixed and specialized farms, favouring a greater proportion of specialized farms. However, at the farm level, it is more costly to enforce specialization than mixedness.