Crop condition was below average in most parts of the Western European MPZ, resulting from a combination of negative and positive extremes.

Significant difference in precipitation between different countries are observed. The whole MPZ showed a large drop in RAIN (11% below average), larger than in the other three major agricultural zones in the world (Table 2.1). All countries did not experience shortages at the same time. Over the entire monitoring period, poor precipitation was observed in more than 70% of the entire MPZ (France, Germany, Spain, UK, Austria,Czech Republic, Denmark and Slovakia), and the most severely affected countries were Denmark (RAIN -28%), Czech Republic (-24%) and Austria (-19%). Due to rain deficits from mid-May to late-May and from late-June to early-July in most parts of this MPZ, the grain filling phase of winter crops and vegetative growth of the major maize producing areas were negatively affected. Most parts of this MPZ recorded above average precipitation in early-May, from early-June to mid-June and mid-July. More rain is needed in the coming months to raise soil moisture, and create favorable conditions for the growth of summer crops.

Temperature (TEMP) for the MPZ as a whole was about average, and sunshine was well above average with RADPAR up +4%. Most parts of MPZ experienced warmer-than-usual conditions after June, while below the average temperature mostly occurred in May. The spatial distribution of temperature profiles indicates that two heat waves swept across Europe in late June and late July, receiving extensive media attention. High temperature shortened the grain filling stage of crops and accelerated the maturity, which may reduced crop yields. 

Due to overall warmer and sunnier conditions for the MPZ, the biomass accumulation potential BIOMSS was 7% above average. The lowest BIOMSS values (-10% and below) occurred in parts of Spain, UK, France, Germany, Italy and Denmark, and this spatial distribution is consistent with the above-mentioned precipitation deficit region. In contrast, BIOMSS was above average (sometimes exceeding a 10% departure) over France and Germany. The average maximum VCI for the MPZ reached 0.92. More than 95% of arable lands were cropped, which is 1%  below the recent five-year average. Most uncropped arable land is concentrated in Spain, with patchy distribution in other countries.

Generally, crop condition in the Western Europe MPZ is expected to be below average considering the  poor precipitation, persistent warmer-than-usual conditions and  heat waves. More  rain  will be  needed  in  several important crop production areas to ensure an adequate soil moisture supply for the growth of summer crops.

Figure 2.5. Western EuropeMPZ: Agroclimatic and agronomic indicators, April to July 2019.

a. Spatial distribution of rainfall profiles              b. Profiles of rainfall departure from average (mm)

c. Spatial distribution of temperature profiles     d. Profiles of temperature departure from average (mm)

e. Maximum VCI

f. Cropped arable land

g. Biomass accumulation potential departure

h. VHI minimum