Germany

This monitoring period covers the overwintering of fall-sown crops and the sowing of spring crops. In late April, winter wheat and barley were at the late vegetative stages, and spring wheat and maize were being planted. Generally, the crop conditions in Germany were above average in most regions based on the agroclimatic and agronomic indicators.

At the national level, total precipitation was 4% above average, temperature and radiation were significantly above average (TEMP, +1.8°C; RADPAR, +10%). High rainfall occurred between February and early March, whereas significantly negative rainfall departures were observed in January and from mid-March to April. Most of the country experienced warmer-than-usual conditions during this reporting period, except for late-March, when a cold spell swept through most European countries. Due to favorable temperatures and adequate water supply, the biomass production potential (BIOMSS) is estimated to increase by 8% nationwide as compared to the fifteen-year average.

As shown in the crop condition development graph and the NDVI profiles at the national level, NDVI values were above average until late March, when they fell to below average levels due to a dry spell from mid-March to mid-April. These observations are confirmed by the clustered NDVI profiles: 68.8% of regional NDVI values were above average before late March, when 77.9% of the area started to drop to below average. Overall VCIx for Germany was 0.91. CALF during the reporting period was the same as for the recent five-year average.  

Generally, the agronomic indicators show favorable conditions for most winter and summer crops in Germany. However, more rain will be needed to ensure an adequate soil moisture supply for the reproductive phase of the winter crops.

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 Sugarbeet Zone of the Northwest, 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 are among the major winter wheat zones of Germany. The region experienced significantly warmer weather (TEMP, +1.9°C), above average radiation (RADPAR, +10%) and RAIN (+13%). As a result, BIOMSS is expected to increase by 12% as compared to the average. As shown in the crop condition development graph (NDVI), the values were above average in the first part of this monitoring period, and then fell to below average from late March to late April. The area has a high CALF (100%) as well as a favorable VCIx (0.91), indicating a high cropped area and favorable crop prospects. 

Wheat and sugarbeets are major crops in the Mixed Wheat and Sugarbeet Zone of the Northwest. According to the CropWatch agroclimatic indicators, RAIN (+7%), temperature (TEMP +1.8°C) and radiation (RADPAR, +11%) were all above average, which led to an increase for BIOMSS by 12%. As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the values were above average until late March when they fell to below average. The area has a high CALF (100%) and crop condition for the region is good according to the high VCIx (0.95).

Central Wheat Zone of Saxony and Thuringia is another major winter wheat zone. RAIN (+1%), TEMP (+1.8°C) and RADPAR (+10%) were all above average. Mostly due to favorable temperatures and high sunshine, the biomass potential (BIOMSS) increased by 6% above average. As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the values were above average until late March. Subsequently, they were near or below average from late March to late April due to low rainfall in that period. The area has a high CALF (100%) and the VCIx of 0.88 for this region also shows favorable crop prospects.

Crop conditions were also favorable in the East-German Lake and Heathland Sparse Crop Area and Western Sparse Crop Area of the Rhenish Massif. Average to significantly above-average precipitation was recorded in these two regions (RAIN 0% and +15%, respectively). In both regions, temperatures (TEMP +1.8°C) and solar radiation (RADPAR +9%) were above average. Due to adequate rain, suitable temperatures and high sunshine conditions, BIOMSS was higher by 6% and 10%, respectively, compared to the average of the past 15 years, and CALF was at 100% for both regions. As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, both regions showed the same trends: above average until late March and then below average from late March to late April due to monthly fluctuations in precipitation. Overall, favorable crop conditions were recorded with high VCIx values of 0.94 for the eastern and 0.87 for the western areas. CALF was 100% for both regions, indicating favorable crop prospects.

On average, almost normal rainfall was recorded for the Bavarian Plateau (RAIN -1%), with above-average temperature (+1.7°C) and radiation (RADPAR +10%). Compared to the five-year average, BIOMSS increased by 6%. The area had a high CALF (100%) as well as a favorable VCIx (0.89). As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the values had the same trend as other regions. 

Figure 3.15. Germany’s crop condition, January-April 2020

Figure 3.15a. Phenology of major crops in Germany

Figure 3.15b. Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, comparing the January-April 2020 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum

Figure 3.15c. Maximum VCI for the January-April 2020 period

Figure 3.15d. Spatial NDVI patterns for Germany up to April 2020 according to local cropping patterns and as compared to the 5YA (left) and (e) associated NDVI profiles (right)

Figure 3.15e. Time series rainfall profile (left) and temperature profile (right) of Germany comparing the January-April 2020 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 profiles (middle) and temperature (right)

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

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

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

Table 3.17. Germany agro-climatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA,  January-April 2020

Table 3.18. Germany agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's value and departure from 5YA/15YA,  January-April 2020