During the reporting period the summer crops such as maize and rice were harvested, and the winter wheat was sown and started growing. The CropWatch agro-climatic indicators show that RAIN and TEMP were 3% and 0.5°C below the average, respectively. RADPAR, which is the main limiting factor for crop conditions in Egypt since almost all crops are irrigated, was average. The estimated BIOMSS was 23% above the average and Maximum VCI was 1.

The nationwide NDVI profile shows average crop condition until the end of December; it then dropped to be below the 5 year-average until the end of January. This is confirmed by spatial NDVI patterns: average until the mid of December, a rise above average in 38% of the cropped areas, a drop in 20% of cropland and average condition elsewhere (42%) . The change in crop conditions after mid-December corresponds to the switch between winter and summer crops in Egypt. Hence, this change may be due to the annual variation in crops geographical distribution or planting dates between regions. Overall, All CropWatch indicators, as well as the maximum VCI map, indicate favorable crops condition nationwide.

Regional analysis

Egypt can be subdivided into three agro-ecological zones (AEZ) based mostly on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions. Only two of them are relevant for crops: the Nile Delta and Mediterranean coastal strip and the Nile Valley.

The Rainfall was slightly (4%) below average in the first AEZ, but significantly  above (48%) in the Nile Valley. The TEMP in both zones was below average (by 0.6 and 0.4 °C, respectively). RADPAR average in both zones, while the estimated BIOMSS was higher in the Nile Valley (63% above the average) than in the Nile Delta and Mediterranean coastal strip (7% above the average). This increase of BIOMSS in the Nile Valley can be attributed to the increase of the rainfall at this zone during the reporting period. Since most of the agricultural lands in Egypt are irrigated, the rainfall makes little change in the outcome of the season. However, additional water usually has a beneficial effect. Also, both CALF and  VCIx estimated for Nile valley were higher (14% above the average and 1.2, respectively) than for the Nile Delta and Mediterranean coastal strip zone (7% above the average and 1 respectively).

The NDVI-based crop condition development graphs indicate average conditions in the Nile Delta and Mediterranean coastal strip zone, and slightly above-average conditions in the Nile valley during the period from mid-October to the end of December. Later in the season, NDVI dropped slightly below the average in both AEZs.

                                                                        (a) Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI                      (c) Maximum VCI 

           (d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                  (e) NDVI profiles 

 (f) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Nile Delta (left) and Nile Valley(right)).

Table 3.23. Egypt’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from15YA, October- January 2019.

Table 3.24. Egypt’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from5YA, October- January 2019.