The monitoring period covers the harvest of late summer crops such as maize  (October), and the sowing of the next winter wheat (in September and October). The Cropped Arable Land Fraction (CALF) was high and close to average. Weather conditions were average, just slightly drier and warmer (RAIN -1%, TEMP + 0.6°C), but much more sunny (RADPAR was above the average by 8%). This led to increased potential biomass (BIOMSS +6%).  Due to the favorable condition, VCIx in Poland during the reporting period was high at 0.92.

As shown by the crop condition development graph, national NDVI values fell markedly due to snow in late December. Nearly all of the agriculture areas had below average NDVI at that time. This has not affected crop condition, which is currently assessed as favorable.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

Four agro-ecological zones (AEZ) are examined more closely below. They include the Northern oats and potatoes areas (the northern half of:  west Pomerania, eastern Pomerania and Warmia-Masuria), the Northern-central wheat and sugar-beet area (Kuyavia-Pomerania to the Baltic sea),  the Central rye and potatoes area (Lubusz to South Podlaskie and northern Lublin), and the Southern wheat and sugar-beet area from southern Lower Silesia to southern Lublin and Subcarpathia along the Czech and Slovak borders. The listed administrative units correspond to vovoidships.

The Northern oats and potatoes area and the Northern-central wheat and sugar-beet area recorded both drier and warmer conditions compared to the average (RAIN -11% and -9%, TEMP +0.6°C for both AEZs).  RADPAR was above average in the two areas (+13% and +12%, respectively). Due to the favorable condition, BIOMSS increased 5% and 6%, respectively. The areas also had high CALF (100% and 99%) and favorable VCIx (0.94 and 0.91). Crop condition is at least satisfactory.

Weather closer to average for precipitation and sunnier prevailed in the Central rye and potatoes area: RAIN -1%, TEMP +0.6°C and RADPAR +9%, which accounts for the increase of biomass (BIOMSS +6%) compared to the five-year average. CALF and VCIx in the area were both favorable  (CALF 100%, VCIx 0.91). Crop condition is good.

The Southern wheat and sugar-beet area was wetter and warmer than average (RAIN +8%, TEMP +0.5°C), but less sunny than the center and the north of the country (RADPAR +5%). The increased biomass (BIOMSS +7%) resulted from the favorable condition. The area had a high CALF (100%) as well as a favorable VCIx (0.92).

Figure 3.25a. Poland phenology of major crops

Figure 3.25b. Poland 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 3.25c. Poland maximum VCI for October 2018 to January 2019 by pixel

Figure 3.25d. Poland spatial NDVI patterns up to January 2019 according to local cropping patterns and compared to the 5YA (left) and (e) associated NDVI profiles (right).

Figure 3.25f. Central rye and potatoes area (Poland) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.25g. Northern oats and potatoes area (Poland) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.25h. Northern-central wheat and sugarbeet area (Poland) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.25i. Southern wheat and sugarbeet area (Poland) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Table 3.61. Poland agroclimatic indicators by agro-ecological region, current season's values and departure from 15YA, October 2018- January 2019

Table 3.62. Poland agronomic indicators by agro-ecological region, current season's values and departure from 5YA, October 2018- January 2019