Warming climate could spark an explosion of sunflowers in East Anglian fields

Our warming climate could see more East Anglian fields filled with sunflowers in the next five years, says a leading crop expert.

Demand is growing for the colourful plants whose seeds can be sold as bird food or processed into sunflower oil.

Neil Groom, general manager at Grainseed, a seed merchant based at Eye, near Diss, said there has been “significant interest” from farmers looking to grow sunflowers.

And with climate change expanding the potential growing area, he expects a summer explosion of these vibrant yellow blooms to become an increasingly common sight in the coming years.

“With climate change and increasing temperatures, the geographic area has already expanded for sunflowers in the UK,” he said.

“Sunflowers can be successfully produced south of a line from the Wash to the Bristol Channel but now more favourable areas to the north and west can be considered.

“I can see sunflowers really flourishing in the UK within five years, and early adopters can try out this great alternative spring crop in 2025”.

Mr Groom said there had been “little trials work” to research the crop in the UK until 2023 — but his firm’s early-maturing variety ES Bella performed well in trials and is now the best-selling variety in the UK.

And there is a combination of factors making sunflowers an attractive spring cropping option for farmers, he added.

The drought-tolerant plants — ideally sown between April 10-20 — can be grown on any free-draining soil type, and the low-input crop requires little to no fertiliser.

Average UK yields range between 1.6t/ha and 3t/ha, with best results usually in hot, dry years - and sunflowers also attract pollinators and small birds which are good for farm biodiversity.

Earlier this year, sunflowers were included alongside oranges, soya beans, chickpeas and grapes in a list of crops which scientists predict could be grown in agricultural heartlands like East Anglia by 2080. This study on the impact of climate change on the suitability of various crops was led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), in collaboration with the University of East Anglia (UEA).