The spatial distribution of NDVI profiles shows complex patterns with a stable negative anomaly in the south-western Pampas, and a continuous decrease of NDVI below average from May in the flooded Pampas.  These patterns can be associated to frost events observed during this reporting period. The rest of the country does not show homogenous spatial patterns, with a mixture of positive, negative and average values.

Nationwide, the crop condition development graph based on NDVI shows values close to the 5 years average with a slight negative anomaly at the beginning and slight positive one at the end of this reporting period. Main agricultural regions of Argentina showed in general satisfactory conditions. The Humid Pampas showed higher than average values throughout the reporting period with a higher positive anomaly during recent months. The Chaco region also showed positive anomalies during the reporting period with values similar to those of 2018. Mesopotamia showed positive values, except for the last observation. Subtropical highlands showed good close to average conditions.

The VCIx map shows quite good conditions (higher than 0.8) for the Central Pampas and the Subtropical Highlands. Lower values were observed in the South-western Pampas and the Flooded Pampas in association with the observed negative NDVI anomalies in these areas.

RAIN showed high positive anomalies in Chaco (+51 %), Mesopotamia (+28 %) and Subtropical highlands (+40 %), while Humid Pampas showed a 6% reduction in this variable. A negative anomaly (-0.6°C) was observed in TEMP for the Chaco region. Mesopotamia and Pampas showed positive anomalies of 0.3°C and 0.1°C respectively. No TEMP anomaly affected the Subtropical highlands. RADPAR showed negative anomalies for these regions: Chaco (-20 %), Mesopotamia (-15 %), Subtropical Highlands (-9 %) and the  Pampas (-3 %).

BIOMSS anomalies where negatively associated with precipitation anomalies: negative values in the Chaco (-19 %), Mesopotamia (-11 %) and Subtropical Highlands (-5%), and positive in the Humid Pampas (+3 %). Maximum VCI values were higher where negative BIOMSS anomalies were observed: Subtropical highlands (0.94), Chaco(0.92) and Mesopotamia (0.90). Low Maximum VCI values were observed in the Pampas (0.27). According to CALF almost all land was cultivated, showing slight positive changes related to average conditions for all the regions: Humid Pampas (+2.8 %), Mesopotamia (+0.8 %), Subtropical highlands (+0.2 %) and Chaco (+0.1 %).

This period covers the harvest and fallow stage of summer crops that represent most of the planted area in the country. For winter crops it is a mixture picture: some indices (e.g. positive NDVI anomalies), while others (such as low Maximum VCI values) show poor conditions particularly in South Pampas  were the relative importance of winter crops is higher.

a. Phenology of major crops

b. Spatial distribution of NDVI profiles

c Crop condition development graph based on NDVI_Argentina

d Crop condition development graph based on NDVI_Humid Pampas

e Crop condition development graph based on NDVI_Chaco

f Crop condition development graph based on NDVI_Mesopotamia

g Crop condition development graph based on NDVI_Subtropical highlands

h. Maximum VCI

Argentina’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values anddeparture from 15YA, April - July 2019.

Argentina’sagronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, April - July 2019