Winter wheat has been harvested in June and July and summer crops are growing.

Accumulated rainfall and biomass were above average  (RAIN +35%, BIOMSS +3%) while temperature  and radiation were slightly below (TEMP -0.3°C, RADPAR -1%). BIOMSS is up 1%. According to the national NDVI development graphs, crop condition was generally above average. Some spatial and temporal detail is provided  by NDVI clusters: NDVI was above average throughout the reporting period in 37.9% of arable land, in the Western Transdanubia; it was below average from April to early June in 62.1% of cropland. About 59.5% of arable land was above average from early June to late July.

With the maximum VCI value at the national level reaching 0.98 and the cropped arable land fraction (CALF) at 100% (unchanged compared to the recent five-year average) crop condition is assessed as favorable.

Regional analysis 

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, Hungary is divided into four sub-regions: North Hungary, Central Hungary, the Great Plain (Puszta) and Transdanubia. Specific observations for the reporting period are included for each region. All sub-regions are characterized by unchanged fractions of cultivated arable land (CALF) compared to average, i.e. 100%, indicating full cropping.

Central Hungary is one of the major agricultural regions in terms of  crop production. A sizable share of winter wheat, maize and sunflower is planted in this region. The NDVI was below average from April to May, above and close to average from late May to July. Agro-climatic conditions include slightly below average radiation (RADPAR -0.9%), temperature (TEMP -0.5°C) and above average rainfall (RAIN, +40%). The biomass production is unchanged and VCIx was just fair at 0.95. According to the NDVI development graphs, NDVI was below average in May and June, above average from late June to July .

Northern Hungary is another important winter wheat region. During this reporting period crops showed favorable conditions according to the crop condition graph. Temperature and radiation had slight negative anomalies (TEMP  -0.3°C, RADPAR  -0.5%) while rainfall and biomass both increased (RAIN +24%, BIOMSS, +1%). The VCIx was favorable at 0.98.

The Puszta region grows mostly winter wheat, maize and sunflower especially in the counties of Jaz-Nagykum-Szolnok and Bekes. According to the NDVI development graph, crop condition was above average from May to July. The biomass is unchanged in spite of the precipitation excess reaching 45%. Temperature and radiation were average (TEMP -0.4°C, RADPAR -1%). The maximum VCI was a favorable 0.99.

Southern Transdanubia cultivates winter wheat, maize, and sunflower, mostly in Somogy and Tolna counties. Crop condition was generally above average from April to July in this region. The RAIN was above average (+28%) with both temperature and radiation below average (TEMP -0.3°C, RADPAR -2%). The biomass increased by 1%. The maximum VCI was favorable at 0.97.

 Figure.3.20. Hungary’s crop condition, April ‐ July 2019

(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, April ‐July 2019

Table 3.41. Hungary’s agronomic indicators by sub‐national regions, current season's values and departure  from 5YA, April ‐July 2019