The monitoring period covers winter wheat growth, as well as the sowing of spring wheat and maize. CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that the conditions were  close to average at the national level only for temperature (-0.5°C compared with average). RAIN was low (down 18%) and sunshine was high (RADPAR +6%).  The NDVI development graph for the entire country indicates crop condition below the average of the past five years before March but close to average values in April. The spatial NDVI patterns compared to the five-year average indicate that NDVI was average in 68.4% of arable land, which is also reflected by the maximum VCI (VCIx) in the different areas, with a VCIx of 0.95 for France overall. It is unclear at this early stage whether winter crops will be affected negatively by rainfall or positively by increased sunshine, which is frequently a limiting factor in France.

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: (78) Northern barley region; (82) Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean; (79)Maize_barley and livestock zone along the English Channel, (80) Rapeseed zone of eastern France;(75) Massif Central Dry zone; (81) South-western maize zone; (76) Alpes region and (77), the Mediterranean zone. 

In the Northern barley region, RAIN was 9% below average, while RADPAR was 8% above. Biomass were below average 4%, reflecting overall average crop condition.

The Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean recorded 85 mm of rainfall over four months (RAIN -26%). Temperature was 0.6°C below, but RADPAR was 8% above. The drop in BIOMSS was 26% compared to the five-year average. The NDVI profile confirms the conditions of crop was average.

The Maize/barley and livestock zone along the English Channel experienced average temperature, RAIN was 23% below average, and biomass 20% below average. According to the NDVI profile and VCIx map, crop condition was not satisfactory in the region.

The Rapeseed zone of eastern France recorded a 12% rainfall deficit, with above average values for RADPAR (3%). BIOMSS for the region is 11% below the five-year average, reflects the generally normal crop and especially pasture condition, as confirmed by the NDVI development graph.

Mostly unfavorable climatic conditions dominated the Massif Central Dry zone over the reporting period. Rainfall was 25% below average (159 mm over four months).Temperature was 0.6°C below average. The dry conditions have hampered biomass development (BIOMSS down 21%) which is most relevant for pastures.

The South-western maize zone is one of the major irrigated maize regions in France.  Temperature dropped 1.0°C below average. RAIN was average, but radiation was above expectations (RADPAR+2%). Crop condition was average according to the NDVI development graph, as confirmed by the decrease of BIOMSS by 5%compared to the 5YA. The VCIx map, shows  that the crop condition was normal.

Generally, the most unfavorable weather conditions were observed in the Alpes region (RAIN -41%) even if other indicators remain close to average. According to the NDVI profiles,crop condition remained unfavorable before April. BIOMSS is 25% below its five-year average, and the VCIx value of 0.82 for the region is the lowest in the country. 

Finally, environmental conditions for the Mediterranean zone were unfavorable with the following values: RAIN -35%, TEMP -0.2°C, and RADPAR +8%. Most arable land in this region was cropped during the monitoring period. In spite of the VCIx of  0.92, the NDVI profile confirms that crop condition was similar to 2018 and below average.

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 January to April 2019 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum

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

Figure 3.13 d. France spatial NDVI patterns up to April 2019 according to local cropping patterns and compared to 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 based on NDVI.

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

Figure 3.13 j. Massif Central Dry 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. 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,  January to April 2019

Table 3.15. France agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's value and departure from 15YA/5YA,  January to April 2019