The Use of Circular Economy in Horticulture Research: A Bibliometric Analysis

Emilio López, Maria de Fátima Oliveira () and Pedro Reis
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Emilio López: Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Departamento de Economía Agroambiental, Ingeniería Cartográfica y Expresión Gráfica en la Ingeniería, Escuela Politécnica Superior de Orihuela, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Ctra. de Beniel km 3.2, Orihuela, 03312 Alicante, Spain
Maria de Fátima Oliveira: Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Rua da Misericórdia, Lagar dos Cortiços, S. Martinho do Bispo, 3045-093 Coimbra, Portugal
Pedro Reis: National Institute of Agricultural and Veterinary Research, I.P., Quinta do Marques, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-16

Abstract: This study explores the integration of circular economy (CE) concepts within horticultural research, assessing the reliability and depth of their application in scientific discourse. A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 221 articles published between 2016 and 2024, utilising the PRISMA framework, VOSviewer version 1.6.20, and MAXQDA version 24.6.0 software to analyse keywords, abstracts, and thematic patterns. The findings reveal a growing use of CE-related terminology in horticulture research, particularly post-2019, with increasing emphasis on resource efficiency, waste minimisation, and closed-loop systems. However, a discrepancy was identified between the usage of CE principles in article keywords and their representation in abstracts, indicating an incomplete alignment with CE fundamentals. Despite this progress, the study highlights the need for a more consistent and precise application of CE principles to bridge the gap between theoretical frameworks and practical implementation. This alignment is critical for advancing the sustainability of horticultural practices and ensuring their contribution to broader environmental and economic goals. By fostering a deeper integration of CE concepts, horticulture research can play a pivotal role in addressing global sustainability challenges.

Keywords: bibliometric analysis; circular economy; horticulture; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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