The monitoring period covers the sowing and growing stages of summer wheat. Summer wheat is generally sown during the first dekad (10-day period) of May. Peak biomass is reached from June to August. 

Crop condition in the country was favorable and the national VCIx reached 0.91. At 291 mm RAIN was above average (+28%) and TEMP was slightly below (-0.2°C). RADPAR was low but close to average (-2%). The combination of factors resulted in low BIOMSS (-3%). As shown by the NDVI development graph, crop condition was above average from June to July and below average from April to May (when planting starts).  In June and July wheat reaches heading and flowering. NDVI cluster graphs and profiles show that 67.5% of arable lands were above average from June to July, mostly in Khentii, Selenge, Tuv, Bulgan, Hovsgol, the East of Dornod and patches in some cropped western provinces. Overall, the outcome of the agricultural season is projected to be favorable.

Regional analysis

Crop condition was close to the five-year maximum from June to July in Khangai Khuvsgul region. Accumulated rainfall was well above average (RAIN +73%); TEMP and RADPAR were below average (-0.4°C and -3%, respectively) and the resulting BIOMSS index is up 7%. The maximum VCI index was 1.01 and the cropped arable land increased by 2% compared to the five-year average. Overall crop prospects are favorable in this region.

In the Selenge‐Onon region NDVI was above the five‐year average from June to July. RAIN was above average (+11%), while TEMP and RASPAR were substantially average. The BIOMSS index decreased by 3% compared with the five-year average. The maximum VCI index was 0.88 and the cropped arable land increased by 4% compared to the five-year average. Overall crop outcome will normal or just below.

According to the NDVI development graph, crop condition in the Central and Eastern Steppe Region was below the five-year average, because of insufficient rainfall. Accumulated RAIN was below average (-23%) and TEMP and RADPAR were slightly above average (0.5°C and +2%, respectively). The BIOMSS index increased by 4% and VCIx was 0.82. The cropped arable land increased by 2% compared to the five-year average. In general, the overall outcome for the crops of this region will depend on mid-season (August) climate, especially rainfall. 

Figure 3.75. Mongolia's crop condition, April 2019 – July 2019

(a). Phenology of major crops

(b)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI 

(c) MaximumVCI

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                   (e) NDVI profiles

(f)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI Hangai Khuvsgul Region

(h)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI Selenge‐Onon Region

(i) Crop conditiondevelopment graph based on NDVI Central and Eastern Steppe Region

(j)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI Altai Region

 (k)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI Gobi Desert Region

Table 3.76. Mongolia’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April 2019 - July 2019