In Poland, the reporting period covers the dormancy and re-growth of winter wheat. Due to close to average precipitation (-4%), warmer weather and more abundant sunshine than average (TEMP +1.6°C, RADPAR +4%), potential biomass increased by 12%. Additional rain is needed in next months for the growth of crop during spring. Due to the favorable condition, VCIx was high at 0.86. Compared to last 5 years, CALF was decreased by 2% but remains close to full cropping (97% of arable land cropped).

As shown by the crop condition development graph, national NDVI was below average in January as snowfall occurred in winter. From February to March, NDVI was above the average of last 5 years due to sufficient precipitation and heat. However, NDVI was below average in April, possibly because of dry soils affected  by more intense that usual evapotranspiration. Sub-national NDVI profiles show very similar condition throughout the country from late February.

Overall, crop condition is satisfactory.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

The country was divided into four zones by agro-ecoligical characteristic including:  (a) the Northern oats and potatoes areas covering the northern half of  West Pomerania, eastern Pomerania and Warmia-Masuria), (b) the Northern-central wheat and sugar-beet area (Kuyavia-Pomerania to the Baltic sea),  (c) the Central rye and potatoes area (Lubusz to South Podlaskie and northern Lublin), and (d) the Southern wheat and sugar-beet area (Southern Lower Silesia to southern Lublin and Subcarpathia along the Czech and Slovak borders).

Compared to last 15 years, the Northern oats and potatoes area,  Northern-central wheat and sugar-beet area and Central rye and potatoes area recorded somewhat drier but much warmer conditions (RAIN: -5%, -7% and -9%; TEMP: +1.9°C, +1.6°C and +1.7°C). RADPAR was higher than average in three zones (+5%, +5% and +4%, respectively). BIOMSS was significantly higher than average (+14%, +10% and +12%) due to favorable temperatures. In spite of a drop in CALF in the three zones (down 2%), CALF was still high at 96%, 95% and 97%,  respectively. Due to the favorable condition, VCIx in three zones reached 0.86, 0.88 and 0.85  respectively.

Different from above three zones, the Southern wheat and sugar-beet area was slightly wetter than average (RAIN +2%) but marginally less warm (TEMP +1.4°C). RADPAR was above average  (+2%). Compared to last 15 years, BIOMSS increased by 11%. The area had a high CALF (97%) as well as a favorable VCIx (0.84).

Figure 3.25a. Poland phenology of major crops

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

Figure 3.25d. Poland 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 3.25f. 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, January - April 2019

Table 3.62. Poland agronomic indicators by agro-ecological region, current season's values and departure from 5YA or 15YA, January- April 2019