The Rise of Borage: Agriculture

15th June 2026

Borage (Borago officinalis) is becoming an increasingly attractive novel crop for UK growers seeking diversification, strong margins and environmental benefits. Recognised for its vivid blue star‑shaped flowers and exceptional appeal to pollinators, borage thrives in UK conditions and is primarily cultivated for its seeds. These seeds are pressed to produce borage oil, one of the richest natural sources of gamma‑linolenic acid (GLA), widely used in skincare, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products.

Farmers Weekly analysis highlights the crop’s impressive financial performance. In several seasons, borage has outperformed winter wheat in gross margins, thanks to its low input requirements and stable demand. As a late‑sown spring crop, it also offers valuable rotational advantages, helping to reduce blackgrass pressure, improve soil structure and spread workload across the season.

Agronomically, borage is relatively straightforward to grow. It prefers free‑draining soils, warm seedbeds and modest nutrition. The main challenges arise at harvest, where seed shatter, uneven ripening and the crop’s hairy stems require careful timing and, ideally, specialist equipment such as swathers or draper headers. Despite these challenges, growers consistently report that the crop’s benefits outweigh its complexities.

We are already seeing borage enter the rotation of farmers in East Anglia, generally out in the fields but also in the farming accounts that we prepare.

With rising demand for GLA‑rich oil, strong environmental credentials and the ability to fit neatly into modern arable rotations, borage represents a compelling opportunity for UK farmers looking to diversify into a profitable and resilient alternative crop. As interest continues to grow, borage is set to play an increasingly important role in the UK’s niche cropping landscape.