The condition of crops in Germany was generally below both the average and the situation in July 2018. Currently, summer crops have been harvested, and winter crops are at the planting stage.

At the national level, total precipitation of the monitoring period was slightly below average (RAIN, -2%), with temperature and radiation slightly above (Temp +0.4°C, RADPAR +1%). Significantly above average precipitation occurred in most of Germany from late-September to mid-October, except the region of Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Bavaria. Most parts of Germany experienced warmer-than-usual conditions during this reporting period, except in early September, early October, as three heat waves swept across Germany in late July, late August and mid-October. Due to favorable sunshine conditions and warmer-than-usual conditions, the biomass production potential (BIOMSS) is expected to increase 3% over average nationwide.   

As shown by the NDVI development graph at the national scale, the reporting period experienced crop condition that was below average, and close to the average until October, while after August, it was above the situation in 2018. These observations are confirmed by the spatial NDVI profiles. Crop condition was below average before mid-August in 86.8% of cropland, and below average from mid-August to October in 51.7% of cropland. Only 13.2% of arable land had crops that were above average during the entire monitoring period, as a result of warmer-than-usual temperature coupled with a persistent rainfall deficit at the early monitoring period. The most favorable crops occur in Schleswig-Holstein and the North of Lower Saxony as well as, in the South, in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. Overall, the above-mentioned pattern of crop growth is also reflected by VCIx, the  value of which reaches 0.87 country wide. CALF during the reporting period was the same as the recent five-year average. Cropping intensity was down 1% compared with the five-year-average.

Generally, the values of agronomic indicators show somewhat unfavorable condition for most summer crops; significantly increased precipitation during the sowing period has affected winter crop planting in the eastern and south-eastern areas while providing adequate soil moisture.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, six sub-national agro-ecological regions are adopted for Germany. They include: the Wheat zone of Schleswig-Holstein and the Baltic coast, Mixed wheat and sugar beets zone of the North-west, Central wheat zone of Saxony and Thuringia, Sparse crop area of the east-German lake and Heathland area, Western sparse crop area of the Rhenish massif, and the Bavarian Plateau. 

Schleswig-Holstein and the Baltic coast is among the major winter wheat zones of Germany. It recorded above average rainfall (RAIN +6%), average temperature and, below average radiation (RADPAR  -4%). BIOMSS is expected to decrease by 4% compared to average. Three heat waves affected this region in late July, late August and mid-October, and the highest temperature was close to or above the historical maximum. As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the values were close to or below average during the whole reporting period. Cropping intensity was down 13% compared with the five-year-average. The area had a high CALF (100%) as well as a favorable VCIx (0.87), indicating a high cropped area.

The Mixed wheat and sugar-beets zone of the North-west experienced a slight precipitation deficit (RAIN -1%),  somewhat above average temperature (TEMP, +0.4°C) and average radiation, which led to a small increase (+3%) of BIOMSS over average. Due to the three heat waves and persistent rainfall deficit at the early monitoring period, the NDVI values and crop condition were below average during the monitoring period. The area had high CALF (100%)  and a high VCIx (0.84). Cropping intensity was down 7% compared with the five-year-average.

The Central wheat zone of Saxony and Thuringia is another major winter wheat zone. Compared to average, this area experienced a precipitation deficit (RAIN, -7%),  above average TEMP (+0.6°C) and radiation (RADPAR, +1%). Due to warmer-than-usual conditions, the biomass potential (BIOMSS indicator) fell 3% below average. The mentioned heat waves led  NDVI values to be below average during this monitoring period based the crop condition development graph. The area had a high CALF (100%)  and VCIx was at 0.82. Cropping intensity was up 2% compared with the five-year-average.

Crop condition was unfavorable in the East-German lake and Heathland sparse crop area, with a rainfall deficit (RAIN, -6%) but with above average temperature (TEMP, +0.4°C), low radiation (RADPAR, -1%) and about average BIOMSS (+1%). NDVI values were below average. The area had a high CALF (99%) and a high VCIx (0.83). Cropping intensity was up 2% compared with the five-year-average.

In the Western sparse crop area of the Rhenish massif CropWatch agro-climatic indicators show a precipitation deficit (RAIN, -6%), but above average TEMP (+0.6°C), RADPAR (+4%) and BIOMSS (+8%). Significantly above average precipitation affected this region from mid-August to October, while three heat waves occurred in late July, late August and mid-October. NDVI changed from below average to close to average, to below average (summer crop time), and again to close to average (winter crop time). The area had a high CALF (100%) and a high VCIx (0.86). Cropping intensity was up 10% compared with the five-year-average.

Next to wheat, two summer crops (maize and potato) are the major productions on the Bavarian Plateau. The CropWatch agro-climatic indicators showed average RAIN, TEMP (+0.6°C) and RADPAR (+3%). Compared to average, BIOMSS is expected to increase by 5%. In spite of the three heat waves, cropping intensity was up 5% compared with the five-year-average. The area had a high CALF (100%) as well as a favorable VCIx (0.94) with equally favorable crop prospects.

Figure 3.15. Germany’s crop condition, July-October 2019

Figure 3.15a. Germany phenology of major crops

Figure 3.15b. Germany national level crop condition development graph based on NDVI, comparing the July-October 2019 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum

Figure 3.15c. Germany maximum VCI for July-October 2019 by pixel

Figure 3.15d. Germany spatial NDVI patterns up to October 2019 according to local cropping patterns and compared to the 5YA (left) and (e) associated NDVI profiles (right)

Figure 3.15e. Time series rainfall pofile (left) and temperature pofile (right) of Germany comparing the July-October 2019 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum

Figure 3.15f. Wheat zone of Schleswig-Holstein and the Baltic coast crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall profile (middle) and time series temperature profile (right)

Figure 3.15g. Mixed wheat and sugarbeets zone of the north-west crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall profile (middle) and time series temperature profile (right)

Figure 3.15h. Central wheat zone of Saxony and Thuringia crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall profile (middle) and time series temperature profile (right)

Figure 3.15i. East-German lake and Heathland sparse crop area crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall profile (middle) and time series temperature profile (right)

Figure 3.15j. Western sparse crop area of the Rhenish massif crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall profile (middle) and time series temperature profile (right)

Figure 3.15k. Bavarian Plateau crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall profile (middle) and time series temperature profile (right)

Table 3.17. Germany agro-climatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, July-October 2019

Table 3.18. Germany agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's value and departure from 5YA/15YA, July-October 2019