Thuringia's sunflower boom: 30% more cultivated area this year!

Thuringia's sunflower boom: 30% more cultivated area this year!

In recent years, the cultivation of sunflowers in Thuringia has developed enormously. With a cultivated area of ​​around 6,300 hectares this year, an increase of around 30 percent compared to last year, farmers were able to noticeably expand their fields. This region has since experienced a real boom in sunflowers, with cultivation increasing eightfold since 2018. The reasons for this are diverse and lie in both the changed climatic conditions and the economic aspects. Sunflowers represent a robust alternative to other crops such as wheat or rapeseed, especially under the current changing weather conditions.

But why are sunflowers so popular? A key factor is the Ukraine war, which led to rising sunflower prices in 2022. Originally, Russia and Ukraine are two of the most important producers of this plant, and the uncertainties have greatly increased demand and cultivated areas in Thuringia. However, the regional farmers' association points out that the advantageous climatic conditions and the associated high yields should not be ignored. “Sunflowers thrive under the current climatic conditions,” said the spokeswoman for the Thuringian Farmers’ Association, who emphasized that the area expansion was not solely due to the Ukraine conflict.

Climate change and agriculture

The trend to grow more sunflowers has now been going on for several years. Already in 2022, the cultivated area was 4,700 hectares, which corresponded to an increase of 300 hectares or six percent compared to the previous year. Particularly large fields can be found in the Sömmerda district, in the Weimarer Land and near Erfurt. These areas are used not only for oil production, but also for the production of snacks, bird seed and as an ingredient in various baked goods.

The harvest time for the oil-containing kernels falls in autumn, which is a positive prospect for the farmers. Since sunflowers are well adapted to the warmer and drier summer periods, the harvest in recent years has usually been bountiful. However, farmers must keep an eye on the safety of their fields. In particular, the theft of sunflowers and corn, often even for decorative purposes, poses a challenge. This is why some farmers have set up “trust cash registers” so that passers-by can leave a donation for flowers taken.

Economic prospects

The demand for sunflowers remains high, which is also reflected in the financial returns for farmers. A large proportion of the harvested sunflowers are processed in a mill in Riesa, which acts as a central point for the production chain in the region. However, there are also differences in the use of sunflower seeds, as the majority is used as bird food, while only a small part ends up in oil mills.

The demand for sunflowers against the backdrop of the Ukraine war could therefore shape the future development of agriculture in Thuringia. Regardless of geopolitical events, the region shows a good knack for growing this versatile flower, which plays a central role not only in agriculture but also in the regional market.

Overall, one thing can be said: whether used as cooking oil or as a landscape beautification - the sunflower is not only a beautiful grain, but also an economically relevant one that gives our landscapes a splendor of color and at the same time ensures a good income for farmers. Thuringian farmers are well equipped to continue to benefit from this golden harvest.

For more information, you can read the articles from MDR, n-tv and World read up.