Life cycle assessment of large-scale integrated organic crop-egg production in Brazil

Integrated crop-livestock systems combine feed production with animal production as separate, but interconnected operations. This study presents the first Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a large scale, integrated, organic egg production system in Brazil and the first worldwide assessment of a large-scale integrated crop-poultry system. This research provides insights into eco-efficiency, offering guidance for sustainable practices in Brazil and beyond. A retrospective attributional LCA assessed the whole production system (cradle-to-farm gate) using the ReCiPe 2016 methodology across 16 impact categories for a functional unit of 1 kg of fresh, organic eggs. Results show that feed production and manufacturing are the dominant environmental hotspots, contributing over 50 % of impacts in 13 categories. Manure management also plays a significant role, particularly in acidification (69 %), freshwater consumption (52 %), and Stratospheric Ozone Depletion (57 %). Notably, the integrated organic system analysed here exhibited lower environmental impacts across most categories compared to other systems reported in the literature (e.g., 88 % lower Metal Depletion than the Italian organic egg system and 81.4 % lower Ecotoxicity than the Brazilian conventional egg system). This reduction is linked to efficient organic crop production and effective on-farm nutrient cycling. Further improvements could be achieved through optimised organic residue recycling, supply chain efficiencies, and expanded co-production. By addressing a key knowledge gap, this study enhances understanding of the environmental impact of large-scale organic egg production. It highlights the need for a holistic approach to sustainable food production and supports the broader goal of sustainable agricultural intensification.