Circular economy in action: analysis of research hotspots and emerging trends on agri-food waste and soil health

Abstract

The circular economy (CE) addresses critical global issues, including environmental degradation, food insecurity, and climate change, in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite their relevance, CE applications in agri-food waste systems have not been comprehensively understood in global research on soil health, due to a lack of systematic analyses linking soil security with agri-food waste. By using a mixed-method strategy, including bibliometric mapping, text mining, and content analysis, we unveil global research chronology, collaboration networks, conceptual structure, and thematic evolution in agri-food waste-to-soil health (AFW-SH) improvement within the context of CE practices. Data was retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science. 190 articles were selected for the analysis using VOSViewer, Flourish Studio, Bibliometrix, and Biblioshiny in R. The results revealed that 759 authors contributed to the growth of publications, and over 60% of the papers were recorded in recent years. China, the USA, and India had the highest publications and collaborations. For the CE thematic areas, resource efficiency (53.68%) and regulatory frameworks (49.47%) had the highest publications. Biochar (17.5%) and CE (7.8%) were the most occurring keywords. Zero hunger—SDG #2 (21%) and climate action—SDG #13 (17%) were the most discussed SDGs. By positioning soil health as a core component of CE performance in the agri-food chain, the study highlights crucial knowledge gaps and identifies new research frontiers in which AFW-SH strategies promote fertility, carbon sequestration, ecosystem resilience, and sustainable agricultural productivity. This provides a clear scientific roadmap for future research, innovation, and policy development for agri-food systems and food security.