This monitoring period covers the planting of spring wheat and maize, which was concluded in May. Winter wheat started to reach maturity in late July. 

Compared to the average of the last 15 years, precipitation increased by 13%, average temperatures were 1.0°C lower and RADPAR was near average during this monitoring period. Potential biomass levels were 7% lower due to low temperatures. In terms of agricultural conditions, the percentage of cultivated land was close to 100%, which is comparable to the average of the last 5 years, and the VCIx reached 0.96.

As shown in the development graphs, the NDVI levels were below average until June, which was presumably due to cooler temperatures in May. NDVI recovered to average values in June and reached maximum values in July, but then started to drop to the 5-year average in late July. This indicates that the spring crops benefitted from the favorable moisture conditions in June and early July. However, rainfall was generally low in the second half of July, which may have caused the drop in NDVI. The dry conditions in late July may have benefitted wheat harvest. 

Due to the ongoing drought in the northwest, the 11.4% of the country's arable land area where NDVI was consistently below average during the monitoring period was mainly located in that part of the country.  However, by the end of the current monitoring period, NDVI rose to above-average levels. VCIx for almost the entire country was above 0.8.

In general, agronomic conditions were generally favorable for the growth and harvest of winter wheat, as well as for the other crops.

Regional analysis

The country was divided into four zones according to agro-ecological characteristics, including:  (a) the Northern oats and potatoes areas covering the northern half of  West Pomerania, eastern Pomerania and Warmia-Masuria, (b) the Northern-central wheat and sugar-beet area (Kuyavia-Pomerania to the Baltic sea),  (c) the Central rye and potatoes area (Lubusz to South Podlaskie and northern Lublin), and (d) the Southern wheat and sugar-beet area (Southern Lower Silesia to southern Lublin and Sub-Carpathian along the Czech and Slovak borders).

Precipitation, average temperature, and radiation were all below the 15-year average (RAIN, -3%; TEMP, -0.9°C; RADPAR, -1%) in Northern oats and potatoes areas, resulting in a potential biomass decrease by 6%.  

In Northern-central wheat and sugar-beet area and Central rye and potatoes area similar trends were observed: Precipitation was both above average by 5%, temperatures were below (1.0°C and 0.9°C respectively), and RADPAR was close to average.  BIOMSS was below average by 6% in both regions.

Precipitation in the Southern wheat and sugar-beet area was significantly above average, with an increase by 31%. Temperature was 1.1°C below average and radiation near-average. Although precipitation was abundant, potential biomass was 10% lower due to lower temperatures.

In all the four subregions, NDVI was below average until June due lower temperatures and drought in the early spring. After precipitation in May  returned to normal, and temperature rose in June, NDVI was higher than average from early June, and by the end of July, NDVI dropped to average again. CALF in all four zones was about 100%, and VCIx in four zones reached 0.95 and more.

Figure 3.36 Poland’s crop condition, April - July 2020

Figure.X 4_7_POL

Figure.X Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure.X Time series rainfall profile

Figure.X Time series temperature profile

Figure.X Maximum VCI

Figure.X Spatial distribution of NDVI profiles

图.X Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure.X Time series rainfall profile

Figure.X Time series temperature profile

Figure.X Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure.X Time series rainfall profile

Figure.X Time series temperature profile

Figure.X Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure.X Time series rainfall profile

Figure.X Time series temperature profile

Figure.X Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure.X Time series rainfall profile

图.X Time series temperature pofile

Table 3.63. Poland agroclimatic indicators by agro-ecological region, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April - July 2020

Table 3.64. Poland agronomic indicators by agro-ecological region, current season's values and departure from 5YA, April - July 2020