Among the many consequences of the recent conflict in the Middle East, one of the most unexpected but particularly critical for food security and world hunger is the fertilizer crisis. Global food production relies heavily on crop fertilization, especially nitrogen fertilizers. Rising fertilizer prices directly translate into increased food production costs, higher prices for consumers, and stronger inflationary pressures in the economy, creating the risk of a new global recession. The United Nations has already warned that instability in energy and fertilizer markets could have serious consequences for agricultural production, especially in the most vulnerable regions of the planet (UN News, 2026). Recent European Commission data highlight the persistent vulnerability of fertilizer markets to geopolitical disruptions (Figure 1). Similar patterns emerged during the 2021-2022 geopolitical and energy crisis, when fertilizer prices experienced unprecedented increases, particularly for nitrogen and phosphorus. The renewed upward pressure observed in 2026 suggests that these structural vulnerabilities remain largely unresolved. Notably, nitrogen fertilizers recorded by far the strongest increase, rising by 51% between October 2025 and April 2026, compared with 15% for phosphorus and only 1% for potassium fertilizers. This divergence is particularly important given the central role of nitrogen fertilizers in modern agricultural production and their strong link to both energy markets and production costs (European Commission-Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, 2026a). Meanwhile, the value of EU fertilizer imports increased from around €5-8 billion annually to more than €17 billion in 2022, highlighting the dependence of the agri-food system on external inputs and international markets (European Commission-Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, 2026b).
This study evaluates the sustainability of alternative durum wheat cultivation practices in Southern Italy using a multi-criteria decision analysis framework. Based on experimental field data from Basilicata, six cropping scenarios—with or without fertilization, intercropping with lentil, and/or application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)—are assessed across environmental, economic, and social criteria. The PROMETHEE outranking method is combined with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to integrate quantitative indicators and expert-based qualitative judgments, while group decision techniques address stakeholder heterogeneity. Two weighting perspectives are simulated: a policy-maker viewpoint emphasizing environmental performance, and a farmer viewpoint prioritizing profitability and risk reduction. Results reveal a structural divergence between socially optimal and privately optimal systems. Intercropping with lentil and AMF inoculation ranks first under policy-oriented weights due to superior soil health and biodiversity performance, whereas conventional cultivation remains preferable under farmer-oriented weights because of higher gross margins. Lentil intercropping without AMF emerges as a compromise solution, balancing income stability and environmental improvement. The dual-ranking approach highlights the sustainability gap between public objectives and private incentives, providing evidence for targeted policy instruments to support agroecological transition in Mediterranean cereal systems.
Olive growing is a key sector of Algerian agriculture, representing 47% of the country’s tree-growing potential. It has expanded significantly, making Algeria the world’s ninth largest producer of olive oil. The M’Chedallah region in Kabylie is particularly important, with 89.5% of its tree-growing potential dedicated to olive trees and production deeply rooted in the local identity. However, the local olive oil sector is facing a crisis due to a traditional system that is not very competitive, characterised by old orchards, poor maintenance, manual harvesting, fragmented land and the predominance of family farms. These factors, particularly unsuitable harvesting and storage techniques, often result in olive oil quality that falls below international standards (lampante or ordinary virgin), despite the potential for extra virgin olive oil with the right technical approach. The study aims to identify priority levers for action for a sustainable development strategy. It used a participatory approach and a rigorous methodology combining SWOT, AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) and TOWS based on surveys of 146 olive growers and 28 olive oilproducers, including 3 exporters. The analysis enabled the strategic factors to beranked. The study concludes that collective organisation is the fundamental lever for overcoming structural weaknesses and committing to the sustainable development of the olive oil sector in M’Chedallah.
This study investigates the technical efficiency of olive farms in Béjaia, Algeria, using primary data from a stratified survey of growers conducted in 2025. A flexible stochastic frontier model, complemented by OLS and Cobb-Douglas specifications as comparative benchmarks, captures the non-linear structure of production technology and isolates managerial inefficiency from environmental noise. Results reveal pronounced heterogeneity, with a strongly bimodal efficiency distribution and an average efficiency level of 0.39. This level of efficiency is relatively low compared to typical estimates reported in Mediterranean orchard systems, suggesting substantial room for productivity improvements. Routine agronomic practices emerge as primary determinant of inefficiency: regular pruning, soil-intervention intensity, and irrigation access significantly reduce distance from the frontier, while tree density contributes positively when embedded in a consistent management regime. Human capital also matters, as older and more educated farmers operate more efficiently. The findings imply that productivity gains in perennial systems depend less on marginal input adjustments and more on the coherence and regularity of orchard management. The findings underline the importance of targeted technical support and improved management practices to enhance farm performance in Mediterranean contexts. The study contributes fresh evidence on efficiency determinants in perennial agriculture and informs ongoing efforts to modernize Algerian olive sector.
This study analyses green management and its role in shaping innovative strategies aimed at fostering sustainable enterprise development. The research applies methods of analysis and synthesis of scientific literature, a comparative approach, and a systems perspective, combined with an analytical review of selected corporate sustainability practices. Theoretical and practical aspects of environmental management are examined, alongside an evaluation of the impact of eco-innovations on business performance. The paper also synthesises the experiences of leading global companies in implementing sustainable development strategies, reinforcing the relevance of transitioning towards environmentally focused business models. The results indicate that integrating green initiatives with innovation-oriented strategies can strengthen economic performance, enhance corporate reputation, and improve long-term competitiveness. The implementation of eco-innovations contributes to the optimisation of production processes, reduction of carbon emissions, and improvement in energy efficiency. These findings highlight practical implications for enterprises seeking to integrate environmental responsibility into strategic management, while also demonstrating broader societal benefits related to resource efficiency, emission reduction, and sustainable economic development.
