Eco‐Efficient in Mediterranean Olive Grove Systems: Insights From a Life Cycle Cost Analysis in Southern Portugal

ABSTRACT This study assesses and compares the eco‐efficiency of six olive production systems in the Alentejo region, southern Portugal, employing a life cycle costing (LCC) approach directly integrated with a prior life cycle assessment (LCA). Although LCC has been increasingly applied to Mediterranean olive‐growing, empirical research in Portugal—particularly in the highly strategic Alentejo region—remains critically scarce. This study fills this major gap by using an integrated LCA‐LCC framework powered by primary, farm‐level data. Unlike previous research relying on generic secondary data, this approach captures the real‐world trade‐offs between environmental impacts and financial performance. The analysis includes both conventional (traditional, high‐density and super‐high‐density) and alternative (organic, integrated, and biodynamic; rainfed and irrigated) systems. Data collection relied on primary sources, such as farmer interviews. The results demonstrate considerable variability among systems in cost structure, productivity, and financial viability. Variable costs predominate across all systems, with inputs and labour as the main cost drivers. Super‐high‐density systems incur the highest total costs due to intensive mechanisation and input use, whereas traditional systems are characterised by lower costs and reduced productivity. Financial indicators reveal that among the conventional systems, super‐high‐density irrigated achieves the greatest economic results. In contrast, among the alternative systems, biodynamic super‐high‐density systems perform best, whereas traditional integrated systems perform worst. Eco‐efficiency results suggest that lower input systems—especially rainfed or organic—can deliver competitive economic returns while minimising environmental impacts.