Winter cereals are still growing (to be harvested during summer) while summer crop planting (maize) is nearing completion. NDVI development covering the current crop was generally above average, with a temporary drop at the very beginning of the year. From January to February, the NDVI "dropped" to average in the north, east and west of the country, while it dropped to below average in the central southern parts. Nationwide, rainfall was well below average (-31%), which could not be offset by increased average temperature (and excellent sunshine conditions:+3%), resulting in an overall drop of biomass potential of 18%. At the end ofApril, NDVI values were below average in about 20% of the country only,affecting the center and especially center-south. VCI values above 1 (the best of the last thirteen years) do occur in the eastern fourth and the western third of the country, resulting in a national average of 0.84. In spite of arather abnormal weather situation during parts of the season, current crop indicator values point at satisfactory winter crop condition.

                             (a) Crop condition development graph based onNDVI               (b) Maximum VCI                                                                        

(c) Spatial NDVI patterns comparedto 5YA                                               (d) NDVI profilr