During this reporting period, winter wheat was harvested in June and July while summer crops, especially maize, rice, sunflower and soybeans are still in the field. According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions were below average in April and May and close to average in June and July. 

Rainfall (-10%) and temperature (-0.2 ºC) were below and solar radiation (RADPAR +0.3%) above the 15YA. This resulted in a 5% reduction in potential biomass production.  CALF was 99%, and VCIx was 0.90. The overall crop conditions during this period were near average. 

About 19.4% of the crops, mainly located in the Po Valley in the Northwest, showed a positive departure from the 5 year trend. Another 30.6%, which trended near average, was predominantly concentrated in the hilly region, stretching from the north to the south along the center of the peninsula. About 16.1% of the area, located in the northeast, center and east constantly stayed below average. The rice fields (12.2%) in the Po Valley are planted in late April or early May and the steady increase in NDVI depicts the growth of the rice crops. The wheat fields, which are followed by a summer fallow, are depicted by the curve representing 21% of the area.  They are located in the south of Italy.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, four sub-national regions can be distinguished for Italy. These four regions are East coast, Po Valley, Islands and Western Italy.

On the East coast, RAIN, TEMP and RADPAR were all below average (RAIN -8%, TEMP -0.5°C, RADPAR -2%). Biomass was the same as the 5YA. Overall conditions stayed close to average in this region: VCIx is 0.89 and high CALF (0.99) indicate full crop cultivation. According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions were below but close to the 5YA average during this growth period. Crop production is expected to be near average.

Crop production in the Po Valley was mainly affected by low rainfall (RAIN -9%) and below average temperature (-0.2 °C).  RADPAR increased by 3% as compared to the 15YA, which resulted in a slight BIOMSS decrease (-2%). The NDVI curve closely followed the longterm average. The area has a high CALF (100%) and the VCIx of 0.90 for this region also shows favorable crop prospects. The output for winter wheat is expected to be average.

For the Islands warmer temperatures (+0.2 ºC) and less rainfall (RAIN -20%) were observed. Together with lower RADPAR (-2%), less biomass (BIOMSS -11%) was estimated. NDVI followed the average trend.  The VCIx was 0.91 and CALF reached 0.98. Hence, near-average conditions were observed. 

The situation in Western Italy is as follows: Rainfall (RAIN -12%) and temperature (TEMP -0.3°C) were below the 15YA. Accordingly, BIOMSS (-6%) was also lower. As in the other regions, the NDVI curve followed the average trend.  The area has a high CALF (100%) and VCIx was 0.89. Crop conditions were normal.

Winter wheat production can be expected to be near average and the prospects for the summer crops also follow the long-term average.

Figure 3.22. Italy crop condition, April-July 2020

Figure 3.22a. Italy phenology of major crops

Figure3.22b. Italy national level crop condition development graph based on NDVI,comparing the April-July 2020 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum

Figure 3.22c. Italy maximum VCI for April-July  2020 by pixel

Figure3.22d. Italy spatial NDVI patterns up to July 2020 according to local cropping patterns and compared to 5YA (left) and (e) associated NDVI profiles (right)

Figure 3.22f. East coast (Italy) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure3.22g. Po Valley (Italy) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.22h. Islands (Italy) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.22i. Western Italy (Italy) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Table3.35  Italy's agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April-July 2020

Table 3.36 Italy's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA/5YA, April-July 2020