Economia circular aplicada à indústria citrícola: viabilidade econômica e ambiental do uso de compostagem

Abstract

Citrus farming is one of the most economically significant agro-industrial chains in Brazil and worldwide, generating approximately 50 to 60% of solid and liquid waste during fruit processing, mainly in the form of peels, pulp, and seeds. Inadequate management of this waste leads to high disposal costs and significant environmental impacts, such as methane emissions, soil acidification, and water contamination. This study aimed to investigate the economic and environmental feasibility of composting citrus waste as an organic fertilizer, within the context of the circular economy and ESG principles. The research, applied in nature and using a mixed (qualitative and quantitative) approach, was conducted through a theoretical exploratory study adapting the economic feasibility model of Culas, Anwar, and Maraseni (2025), considering an average productivity of 869 boxes of oranges per hectare, an annual mineral fertilizer cost of BRL 2,245.35/ha, and a theoretical application of 7 tons of organic compost per hectare. The results showed that the partial replacement (25–75%) of mineral fertilizers with citrus compost provided economic co-benefits ranging from BRL 51.25 to BRL 1,544.01 per hectare per year, representing up to 69% savings over the cost of conventional inputs, with greater returns observed in high-quality soils. The compost presented a C/N ratio of 15:1, pH between 3.5 and 4.0, and high levels of organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, promoting improvements in soil fertility, cation exchange capacity, and microbial activity. Environmentally, the process showed potential to reduce waste disposal costs by up to 35% and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, directly contributing to SDGs 2, 12, 13, and 15. It is concluded that citrus pulp composting is a technically, economically, and environmentally viable alternative, strengthening the transition of Brazilian citrus farming toward a circular, regenerative, and low-carbon model, aligned with global sustainability and environmental governance guidelines.