CLIMATIC change is unlocking UK potential for growing exotics with pioneering growers set to benefit from premium selling prices.

One of the most exhaustive studies of world ecosystems this week (see story opposite) revealed that a 0.6°C increase in average world temperatures has had a huge impact on plant and animal life.

Walnuts have already been grown successfully in England's south-east corner, but now experts say chilli peppers, sweet potatoes and butternut squash are within the realms of possibility for trailblazing UK growers.

Horticulture Research International (HRI) spokesman Brian Smith said that it was foolish to assume that warmer temperatures would simply mean taking on the crops of England's near neighbours, and he explained that growers would instead be looking for crops that could still command high prices in the UK.

He said: 'It is not enough to say they grow sunflowers in northern France and as we only need half a degree more, they will become a common sight – that is superficial.

'It is tied-up with economic change which has a bigger effect. There's a difference between what we can grow and what we can grow at a profit.

'We have been working in sweet potatoes – they are a growing market. People are willing to try [growing them] because they see a profit in it. We need more than one or two degrees but they can already grow them reasonably well in southern Spain, and they have been grown in southern France. Once they dip below 20°C they don't really grow that much, but people are prepared to spend £1,000 an acre to modify their environment. When we can see prices of £800-1,000 a tonne, rather than £200 a tonne for normal potatoes, it sort of pays for itself.' Smith also cited butternut squash – a popular product that commands big premiums in the supermarkets – as a borderline product these days.

He said: 'For a certain amount of time [of the year] butternut squash can be produced in this country.' Reacting to the news, one UK company spokesman involved in alternative products – who cannot be named for commercial reasons – confirmed that pioneering growers stand to see significant returns if they can harness the warmer temperatures and grow premium crops in volume.

He said: 'It's about seeing an opportunity – you have only got a season or two's advantage and then the rest dive into it. If we saw an advantage we wouldn't go about bragging about it – but I'm sure there will be possibilities.' The spokesman said butternut squash was a good alternative for marrow growers 'who would not need to adapt very much', and he said chilli peppers would be open 'to those who had dabbled with sweet peppers, or had any spare glasshouse space.' He added he has already seen herb growers trying out the crop.

Meanwhile, HRI's Smith explained that as well as making new crops available, it is important to recognise that temperatures would mean changes to existing agriculture.

He said: 'Within the time span that I'm likely to be interested in, it looks like the temperature is going to go on rising, although winters may be milder and wetter without summers becoming any hotter or drier.

'Undoubtedly though, one or two things will come in and others will be easier to grow. Onions would become easier, whereas traditional crops such as brassicas may well become more difficult, because their shelf life will deteriorate more quickly.'

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