At the end of dormancy and early spring growth winter wheat showed generally unfavorable condition, at a time when early summer crop (e.g. maize) cultivation is starting. The BIOMSS is down 9.0% due to shortage of rainfall (RAIN -12%). Temperature was close to average and radiation was above by 4%. According to nationwide NDVI graphs, crop condition was below average with the maximum VCI value reaching 0.83 and the cropped arable land fraction (CALF) down at the national level. Crop condition was above average throughout the reporting period in 14.3% of arable land in western Transdanubia, and 85.7% was below average including Puszta, Northern and Central Hungary and central and southern Transdanubia.

Regional analysis

CropWatch has adopted four agro-ecological zones (AEZ) to provide a more detailed spatial analysis for the country. They included Northern Hungary, Central Hungary, the Puszta and Transdanubia. Specific observations for the reporting period are included for each region. In the all sub-regions, the cropped arable land fraction is down below the 5YA: 2% in the North Hungary, 6% in Central Hungary , 10% in the Puszta and just 1% in Transdanubia.

Central Hungary is one of the major agricultural regions in terms of crop production. A sizeable share of winter wheat, maize and sunflower is planted in this region. Agroclimatic conditions include above average radiation (RADPAR +4.5%), slightly above average temperature (TEMP +1.0°C) and below average rainfall (RAIN, -10%). The biomass production potential decreased by 6% and VCIx was just fair at 0.78. NDVI was below average.

Northern Hungary is another important winter wheat region. The NDVI was below average according to the crop condition graph. Compared with the recent average, temperature was about average (TEMP, +0.9°C), radiation was well above (RADPAR, +5.0%) while rainfall  and biomass both dropped compared with average (RAIN -16%, BIOMSS, -13%). The VCIx was normal at 0.83.

The Puszta region grows mostly winter wheat, maize and sunflower especially in the counties of Jaz-Nagykum-Szolnok and Bekes. According to NDVI development graph, crop condition was below average from January to April. The biomass is decreased by 10% due to low rainfall (RAIN -8%) while temperature was average (TEMP +0.9°C) and radiation was above average (RADPAR 3.0%). The maximum VCI was a normal 0.79.

Southern Transdanubia cultivates winter wheat, maize and sunflower, mostly in Somogy and Tolna counties . The RAIN was below average (-13%) with  both temperature and radiation above average (TEMP +1.1°C, RADPAR  +4.2%). The biomass decreased by 7% below average in this period. The maximum VCI was normal 0.88. The NDVI values were below average, but picked up in February and April.

(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 (Central Hungary (left) and North Hungary (right)) 

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Great Plain (left) and Western Transdanubia (right)) 

Table 3.40. Hungary’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, January - April 2019 

Table 3.41. Hungary’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, January - April  2019