BACKGROUND: At commercial level, the biodiesel production process is well established for many types of feedstock. However, economic feasibility depends on regional fluctuating data, making each case unique. A calculation model to analyze the economic feasibility of biodiesel production from Jatropha curcas was developed, along with an analysis of the energetic balance derived from this process. RESULTS: Yucatan state has the cultivation surface to replace 10% of its fossil diesel fuel consumption with biodiesel. Two scenarios were studied: the use of biodiesel-fossil diesel blends B5 and B10. The net energy ratio (NER) of biodiesel production is 2.88, indicating that the system provides more energy than it consumes. The economic analysis indicates that biodiesel cost remains constant with production capacities of 10 000 m(3) year(-1) and higher. Field labor, pesticides, and fertilizers are the major costs at J. curcas plantations, representing 64.3, 16.3 and 11.5% of total biodiesel cost, respectively. The net present value (NPV) was always negative, proving that the biodiesel-jatropha chain is not economically viable. CONCLUSIONS: Actual seed productivity (1 495 kg ha(-1) year(-1)) must be increased 2.17 times to attain economic viability. Agricultural practices need to be enhanced in order to lower labor cost and the use of fertilizers. (C) 2016 Society of Chemical Industry