The monitoring period covers winter wheat sowing and early growth as well as the harvest of spring wheat and maize.

Weather conditions were normal at the national level. This includes a 1% increase in RAIN above average, slightly below average temperature, and an increase in sunshine (RADPAR +3%) and BIOMSS(+4%).

The NDVI development graph for the entire country indicates crop condition below the average of the past five years and 2017-2018. The spatial NDVI patterns show that crop condition was about average in 69.1% of arable land. A drop in NDVI January occured mostly in highlands or areas of marginal agricultural importance and is probably due to snow. This spatial pattern is also roughly reflected by the maximum VCI (VCIx) in the different areas with a surprising discrepancy over the Massif Central where NDVI is very low in January and VCIx exceeds 0.8. Countrywide, however average VCIx was 0.82.

Regional analysis

Considering cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, additional sub-national detail is provided for eight agro-ecological zones. They are identified in the maps by the following numbers: (54) Northern barley region, (58) Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean, (55) Maize-barley and livestock zone along the English Channel, (56) Rapeseed zone of eastern France, (51) Dry Massif Central zone, (57) Southwestern maize zone, (52) Eastern Alpes region, and (53) the Mediterranean zone.

In the Northern barley region both RAIN and TEMP were below average (9% and 1.4°C, respectively), while RADPAR was 10% above. Low VCIx values (0.77) reflect overall unsatisfactory crop condition.

The Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean experienced average temperature, RAIN was 7% below average, and TEMP very significantly so by -2.1°C. According to the NDVI profile and VCIx map, crop condition was unsatisfactory in the region.

The Maize/barley and livestock zone along the English Channel recorded 241 mm of rainfall over four months (RAIN -7%). Temperature was down 1.6°C but RADPAR was 9% above average. The drop in BIOMSS was 2% compared to the five-year average. The NDVI profile confirms the conditions of crop between poor and average.

The Rapeseed zone of eastern France recorded an 8% rainfall deficit, with above average values for RADPAR (8%). BIOMSS for the region is 1% below the five-year average, and a low VCIx value reflects the generally unsatisfactory crop and especially pasture condition, as confirmed by the NDVI development graph.

Mostly unfavorable climatic conditions dominated the Dry Massif Central zone over the reporting period. Rainfall was 21% below average (212 mm over four months).Temperature was 1.6°C below average. The dry conditions have resulted in a BIOMSS indicator 7% below average for the period.

The Southwestern maize zone is one of the major irrigated maize regions in France. Temperature dropped below average by a significant 2.4°C, RADPAR was average, but rainfall was above expectations by +13%. Crop condition was average according to the NDVI development graph, as confirmed by the VCIx map, which shows  that crop condition was satisfactory.

Environmental conditions for the Eastern Alpes region were mostly abnormal with the following values: RAIN +7%, TEMP -1.2°C; RADPAR was about average (+2%). Almost all arable land in this region was cropped during the monitoring period, and the average VCIx is 0.87.The NDVI profile confirms the crop condition.

Finally, the most favorable weather conditions were observed in the Mediterranean zone (RAIN +33%) even if other indicators remain close to average, except for TEMP (-0.7°C). According to the NDVI profiles, crop condition remained favorable since October. BIOMSS is 28% above its five-year average, and the VCIx value of 1.05 for the region is the highest in the country.

Figure 3.13 a. France phenology of major crops

Figure 3.13 b. France national level crop condition development graph based on NDVI, comparing the October 2018 to January 2019 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum

Figure 3.13 c. France maximum VCI for  October 2018 to January 2019 by pixel

Figure 3.13 d. France spatial NDVI patterns up to January 2019 according to local cropping patterns and comparedto the 5YA (left) and (e) associated NDVI profiles(right).

Figure 3.13 f. Northern barley region (France) crop condition development graph based on NDVI.

 Figure 3.13 g. Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean  (France) crop condition development graph based on NDVI.

 Figure 3.13 h. Maize barley and livestock zone along the English Channel crop condition development graph basedon NDVI.

Figure 3.13 i. Rapeseed zone of eastern France crop condition development graph based on NDVI.

Figure 3.13 j.Dry Massif Central zone(France)crop condition development graph based on NDVI.

Figure 3.13 k. Southwestern maize zone(France) crop condition development graph based on NDVI.

 Figure 3.13 l. Eastern Alpes region(France) crop condition development graph based on NDVI.

Figure 3.13 m. the Mediterranean zone(France) crop condition development graph based on NDVI.

Table 3.14. France agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA,  October 2018 to January 2019

Table 3.15. France agronomic indicatorsby sub-national regions, current season's value and departure from 5YA,   October 2018 to January 2019