This report covers the production of irrigated wheat,  typically sown in November and December, as well as of irrigated winter maize, sown roughly one month earlier. Maize and wheat were at the harvesting stage in March and April respectively. Rice and soybean sowing began in April. 

According to the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, conditions were close to average between January and April. The CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that RAIN, TEMP, RADPAR and BIOMSS were close to average (RAIN 125mm, +4%; TEMP 19.7°C, + 0.8°C; RADPAR: 1200MJ/m², - 3%; BIOMSS: 422gDM/m2, +5%). CALF increased by 8% compared with the previous 5-year's average and maximum vegetation condition index (VCIx) was 0.87.  

Crop conditions displayed obvious differences in their spatial distribution. According to the spatial pattern of VCIx, it was relatively low in northeastern Mexico compared to other regions.Very high values (greater than 1.0) could be found mainly in northwestern Mexico (including Sonora, Sinaloa and Baja California Sur), whereas extremely low values (less than 0.5) occurred in the north-east and center of the country (northwestern Coahuila, northern Nuevo León and northern Tamaulipas). The VCIx in other regions of Mexico was moderate, with the values between 0.5 and 1.0. As shown in the spatial NDVI profiles and distribution map, about 41.3% of the total cropped areas were below average during the entire monitoring period, mainly distributed in the east of Coahuila, Veracruz and Nuevo León while 43.8% of the total cropped areas, mainly in Sinaloa and Sonora provinces, were above average. 

Combining the agronomic and agroclimatic indicators, crop condition was close to average during the monitoring period and CropWatch estimates that maize and wheat grew well during the monitoring period and average output is expected.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, Mexico is divided into four agro-ecological regions. These regions include Arid and semi-arid regions (128), Humid tropics with summer rainfall (129), Sub-humid temperate region with summer rains (130) and Sub-humid hot tropics with summer rains (131). Regional analyses of crop conditions provide more detail for the production situation in Mexico.

The Arid and semi-arid regions located in northern and central Mexico account for about half of planted areas in the country. According to the NDVI development graph, crop condition in this region was generally close to average during the reporting period. VCIx was 0.87 and CALF increased by 21% compared with average, RAIN and TEMP increased by 50% and 0.4°C, respectively and RADPAR decreased by 6%, which all resulted in an increase of BIOMSS (+17%).

The Sub-humid temperate region with summer rains is located in central Mexico. According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions stayed close to average in this region. The agro-climatic condition showed that RAIN and TEMP increased by 2% and 1.0°C, respectively and RADPAR decreased by 2% compared to average. BIOMSS also increased by 8% and CALF was 52%. VCIx was relatively low with a value of 0.73.

The Sub-humid hot tropics with summer rains are located in southern Mexico. During the monitoring period, crop conditions were close to average since January, as shown by the NDVI time profiles. Agro-climatic conditions showed that RAIN was significantly above average (+22%), while TEMP and RADPAR were near average (+0.9°C and -2%). The VCIx in these areas was 0.92 and BIOMSS was on average, which indicate favorable conditions.

Humid tropics with summer rainfall are located in southeastern Mexico. RAIN was significantly below average (-32%), TEMP was 1.3℃ warmer and RADPAR up 2%. As shown in the NDVI development graph, crop condition was close to average from January to February and below average after March. BIOMSS decreased (-12%) but CALF reached 99%. The VCIx (0.93) confirmed favorable crop condition in these regions.

Figure 3.29 Mexico’s crop condition, January 2020 - April 2020

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

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

(f) Rainfall profiles      

(g) Temperature profiles

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Arid and semi-arid regions (left) and Humid tropics with summer rainfall (right))

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Sub-humid temperate region with summer rains (left) and Sub-humid hot tropics with summer rains (right))

Table 3.49 Mexico’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA,  January 2020 - April 2020

Table 3.50 Mexico’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, October  January 2020 - April 2020