Most crops, such as maize, sorghum, soybeans, rice and groundnuts reached maturity in May or June. Wheat planting started in May. 

As compared to the 15-year average, the precipitation decreased by 23%, the temperature was 0.7 ºC below average and RADPAR was 2% higher. The decrease in precipitation and temperature affected the potential biomass which was reduced by 17% as compared to the 15YA. The fraction of cropped land increased by 9% compared to the 5YA.

Based on the NDVI profile, it was noticed that from April to July, the crop conditions were fair: NDVI values remained close to the 5-year average for the whole period. According to the map depicting spatial NDVI patterns, 6.1% of the area, mostly  in Western Cape, had a rising NDVI departure beginning in mid-May, because wheat had started to emerge at around that time. The graph also shows that 42% of the area (in Eastern State, KwaZulu Natal, Free State, Mpumalanga, and North West) had positive NDVI departures until the end of June. 51% of the area in these provinces had negative NDVI departures which can be explained by the harvesting period. The maximum VCIx was at 0.89. 

Regional analysis

CropWatch considers three main crop production zones in South Africa, namely The Mediterranean zone, Humid Cape Fold Mountains and Dry Highveld and Bushveld maize areas.

In the Mediterranean zone, the precipitation decreased by 3% (from the 15YA), temperature remained close to average (+0.1 ºC), while the radiation increased by 6% as compared to the 15YA. In this zone which is known for its wheat cultivation, the slight reduction in rainfall did not affect the potential biomass,  as a 2% increase over the 15YA was estimated. The cropped land increased by 3%  over the 5YA and the vegetation condition index was at 0.86. According to the NDVI graph the crop conditions were above the 5YA average starting in June and reached a maximum in July. Conditions for wheat are promising in this region.  

In the Humid Cape Fold Mountains, the precipitation dropped by 31% compared to the 15YA , and the region was cooler by 0.4 °C  while the radiation increased by 3% from 15YA. Hence, the current biomass estimate was reduced by 6%. CALF increased 2% as compared to the 5YA. The NDVI values closely followed the 5 year trend. Maximum vegetation condition index was at 93. The crop conditions were average for this region. 

In the Dry Highveld and Bushveld maize areas, the rainfall departed by -26% from the average, temperatures were also below average (-0.9 ºC) and radiation was 2% higher as compared to 15YA. In this main production zone, estimated biomass was reduced by 24%  compared to 15YA.  Regarding the cropped area land fraction (CALF), it had increased by 11% above the 5YA and VCIx was at 0.89. From April up to July, the NDVI profile for this semi-arid region was close to average. Crop conditions were average for this region. 

Figure 3.45 South Africa’s crop condition, April - July 2020

(a)    Phenology of main Crop

Figure.X Click to edit

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

         (d) Rainfall index                                                                   (e) Temperature index

(f) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                                    (g) NDVI profiles

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI Arid desert (left) and Humid sub-tropical (right)

(i)                 Crop condition development graph based on NDVI semi-arid steppe (left)  and Mediterranean (right)

Table 3.81 South Africa’s agro-climatic indicators by sub‐national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA,  April to July 2020

Table 3.82 South Africa’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departures,  April to July 2020