Energy efficiency and carbon footprint in the cultivation of sour cherries in Turkey

The energy sustainability of fruit production systems is one of the major challenges facing modern agriculture, particularly in a context characterized by rising energy costs and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A recent study conducted in the Konya province of Türkiye on sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) quantitatively analyzed energy flows and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production system, providing valuable insights from both environmental and economic perspectives.

Data were collected through interviews with thirty-nine farmers.

Energy efficiency

The results first highlight that the production system is energetically efficient: with a total energy input of 13,652 MJ/ha, the energy output reaches 43,906 MJ/ha, resulting in an energy use efficiency (EUE) of 3.26.

This means that the system produces more than three times the energy it consumes, exceeding the energy break-even point and proving competitive compared to other fruit crops.

Additional indicators confirm this performance: specific energy is approximately 0.94 MJ/kg, while energy productivity is 1.11 kg/MJ, with a positive net energy balance exceeding 30,000 MJ/ha.

However, despite this productive efficiency, there is a strong dependence on non-renewable energy sources.

Input composition

About 94.8% of the energy used derives from fossil or industrial inputs, while the share of renewable energy is limited to just 5.2%.

In particular, chemical fertilizers and electricity together account for about 70% of total energy consumption, highlighting a marked imbalance in input composition.

This finding underscores that, despite overall energy efficiency, the system still faces critical issues in terms of long-term sustainability.

From an emissions standpoint, the system shows a total carbon footprint of 1,367.8 kg CO2-eq/ha, with an emission intensity of 0.09 kg CO2-eq/kg of product.

Emission sources

These values are moderate compared to other fruit crops, but they conceal a highly uneven distribution of emission sources.

Electricity, mainly used for irrigation, alone accounts for approximately 59% of total emissions, confirming it as the primary environmental hotspot of the system.

It is followed by human labor and nitrogen fertilizers, while the contribution of diesel is relatively limited, indicating a certain efficiency in mechanical operations.

The role of fertilizers is particularly noteworthy: they represent the main driver of both energy consumption and indirect emissions.

Nutrient management

Nitrogen, in particular, has a significant impact on both the energy and environmental balance, suggesting considerable room for improvement through optimized nutrient management strategies.

At the same time, the use, albeit limited, of farmyard manure highlights the potential of renewable inputs to rebalance the energy system.

The study’s conclusions identify three main pathways to improve the sustainability of sour cherry production in Türkiye: transitioning to renewable energy sources, especially for irrigation; reducing the use of chemical fertilizers in favor of organic ones; and adopting an integrated energy management approach across the entire production cycle.

In summary, the analyzed system demonstrates that high energy efficiency and good productivity can be achieved simultaneously, while also emphasizing the need to reorganize input use in order to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources and enhance the environmental resilience of the sector.

Source: Candemir, S., Bozdemir Akçil, M., Doğan, H. G., & Bayramoğlu, Z. (2026). Energy Use Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) Production Systems in Türkiye. Applied Fruit Science, 68(1), 49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10341-025-01759-z 

Image source: Stefano Lugli

Andrea Giovannini
PhD in Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science and Technology - Arboriculture and Fruitculture, University of Bologna, IT

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