Russia experienced generally favourable crop condition from January to April (VCIx=0.73), which coincided with the wintering stage of winter wheat and early planting of spring wheat. The fraction of cropped arable land (CALF) increased 4 % over the recent five-year average. Russia experienced extremely mild conditions (2.1°C above average) in these four months, with precipitation that significantly exceeds the average (+36%). Due to the joint effect of rainfall and temperature the BIOMSS indicator rose 22% above the five-year average.

NDVI in the Southern Federal District (blue color in NDVI cluster figure) consistently exceeded the average of the last five-year average during this monitoring period, especially in February. The development of winter crops in this area is well advanced. In the Volga Federal District and northern Far Eastern Federal (green color), the NDVI is close to average till the middle of March, after which it increased. In parts of Central Federal District and North Caucasian Federal District (red color), the NDVI was lower than usual. In other parts of Russia, the NDVI was close to the recent average. In spite of possible frost damage in March (see chapter 5.2), CropWatch assesses winter and spring conditions for Russia as favorable to winter and spring crops.

Figure 3.27. Russia cropcondition, January-April 2016