Winter crops (wheat and barley) were growing during this monitoring period.

The agro-climatic indicators of RADPAR and TEMP were above average: RADPAR +3.8%, and TEMP +1.6°C, which led to a 0.9% increase in BIOMSS compared with the fifteen-year average, while RAIN was below average by 15.5%. According to the national NDVI development graphs, crop condition was below average from October to late November but above average from December to January. Some spatial and temporal detail is provided  by NDVI clusters: NDVI was above average throughout the monitoring period for 31.4% of arable land, below average for 45.0% of arable land in the Northern Great Plain such as Helves, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Bekes, and Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg. For the rest 23.6%, the NDVI was below average from October to November but above average from December to January in the Puszta region such as Jaz-Nagykum-Szolnok and Bekes.

With the maximum VCI value at the national level reaching 0.93 and the cropped arable land fraction (CALF) at 97% (above average 7% compared to the recent five-year average), crop condition is assessed as slightly above average.

Regional analysis

CropWatch has adopted four agro-ecological zones (AEZ) to provide a more detailed spatial analysis for the country. They include North Hungary, Central Hungary, the Puszta and Southern Transdanubia. Specific observations for the reporting period are included for each region.

Cultivated arable land (CALF) increased in all sub-regions: 5% in North Hungary region, 1% in Southern Transdanubia, and by 1% and 15% in Central Hungary and Puszta sub-regions, respectively.

Central Hungary is one of the major agricultural regions in terms of crop production. A sizeable share of winter wheat, maize and sunflower is planted in this region. The NDVI was below average from October to late November and above average from December to January. Agro-climatic conditions were above average for temperature and radiation (TEMP +1.4%; RADPAR +6%), and rainfall was below average (RAIN, -10%). Compared to the 15YA, the biomass production potential was below average (BIOMSS, -1%) while VCIx reached 0.9. The crop production in this region is expected to be close to average.

Northern Hungary is another important winter wheat region where 5 to 8% of the national winter wheat, and 1 to 4% of maize are grown.The NDVI was below average from October to late November and above average from December to January. The temperature (TEMP +1.4°C), and radiation (RADPAR +3%) were little above average while the accumulated rainfall (RAIN -10%) was below average, resulting in a biomass production potential decrease in this region (BIOMSS -10%). The VCIx was favorable at 0.96. The crop production in this region is expected to be below but close to average.

The Puszta region grows mostly winter wheat, maize and sunflower especially in the counties of Jaz-Nagykum-Szolnok and Bekes. According to the crop condition graph, NDVI values were below average from October to late November and above average from December to January. The biomass potential decreased by 5% due to low rainfall and little increase radiation (RAIN -28% and RADPAR +5%); temperature was close to average (TEMP +1.7°C). The maximum VCIx reached 0.95, indicating a good crop.

Southern Transdanubia cultivates winter wheat, maize and sunflower, mostly in Somogy and Tolna counties while smaller areas are planted in northern Transdanubia.  All agro-climatic indicators were as follows: RAIN -11%, TEMP +1.5°C and RADPAR +2%, while BIOMSS increased by 11%. The maximum VCI (0.93) stands for good crops in the Transdanubia region.

Figure.3.20. Hungary’s crop condition, October2019 ‐ January 2020

Figure 3.20 (a) Phenology Model

Figure 3.20 (b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI  (c) Maximum VCI 

Figure 3.20 (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, October2019-January 2020

Table 3.41. Hungary’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA/5YA, October2019-January 2020