Emerging Sustainability Frontiers in the Agri-Food Sector: A Systematic Review of Digitalization and Circularity in Aquaponics

In the context of pressures on agri-food systems from resource depletion, climate instability, and urban expansion, aquaponics has emerged as a potential model for sustainable and circular food production. By integrating aquaculture and hydroponics within closed-loop systems, aquaponics can enhance nutrient cycling and water reuse. However, sustainability and profitability outcomes are context-dependent and can be offset by energy demand, feed and infrastructure inputs, and operational instability. Digital technologies may support monitoring, control and decision-making in these complex systems, but they also introduce additional dependencies. Despite parallel advances in aquaponics and agri-digitalization, their intersection, particularly from a circular economy perspective, remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap through a systematic review of literature on aquaponics, digitalization, and circularity, following PRISMA guidelines. The evidence base comprises 25 peer-reviewed articles and is examined through an integrated bibliometric and thematic framework. The findings reveal an emergent but evolving research landscape, characterized by increasing interdisciplinary convergence and a growing emphasis on systems integration. Conceptual trajectories in the literature reflect a shift towards intelligent automation, real-time monitoring, and the use of IoT and AI for optimized resource management. Nevertheless, structural barriers persist, including high initial investment costs, fragmented data infrastructures, regulatory ambiguities, and limited technical capacity. These constraints underscore the necessity of developing harmonized policy frameworks and promoting stakeholder coordination. By synthesizing current knowledge and identifying research frontiers, this review contributes to advancing the understanding of digital aquaponics as a promising, but still contingent on implementation conditions, pathway toward more circular and technologically enabled food systems.