The conditions of crops in Germany were generally worse than last year's and below the 5YA, mainly due to lingering effects of a drought that had started in the spring. Harvest of the summer crops was mostly completed by the end of October, whereas sowing of canola and winter wheat had started in September. 

At the national level, total precipitation of the monitoring period was slightly below average (RAIN, -1%), temperature was slightly above average (TEMP, +0.4°C) and radiation was below average (RADPAR, -4%). It can be seen from the time series rainfall profile for Germany that precipitation was significantly below average from mid-July to mid-September. Rainfall in October was above average, which helped replenish soil moisture, which is critical for the establishment of the winter crops. Germany experienced warmer-than-usual conditions during this reporting period, except in early July, mid-July, and mid-October. Due to cloudier conditions, the biomass production potential (BIOMSS) decreased by 4% as compared to the 15YA.

As shown by the NDVI development graph at the national scale, NDVI values were below average during most of the monitoring period, except in July and early September when they were close to the average. These observations are confirmed by the spatial NDVI profiles. Crop conditions were below average on 78.7% of the cropland during the entire monitoring period due to a persistent rainfall deficit coupled with cooler-than-usual conditions in July. The most favorable conditions were observed for Schleswig-Holstein and the North of Lower Saxony as well as in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria in the south. Overall, the above-mentioned pattern of crop growth is also reflected by VCIx, the value of which reached 0.95 country-wide. CALF was at the same level as the recent five-year average. 

Generally, the values of agronomic indicators show unfavorable conditions for most summer crops; above-average  precipitation in October helped with the establishment of the winter crops.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, six sub-national agro-ecological regions are adopted for Germany. They include: the Wheat zone of Schleswig-Holstein and the Baltic coast, Mixed wheat and sugar beets zone of the North-west, Central wheat zone of Saxony and Thuringia, Sparse crop area of the east-German lake and Heathland area, Western sparse crop area of the Rhenish massif, and the Bavarian Plateau. 

Schleswig-Holstein and the Baltic coast is among the major winter wheat zones of Germany. It recorded significantly below-average rainfall (RAIN, -14%), slightly above-average temperature (TEMP, 0.3°C), and below-average radiation (RADPAR, -2%). BIOMSS is expected to decrease by 4% compared to the average. A heat wave affected this region in late July and early August, and the average for that period was above the historical maximum. As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the values were close to or below average during the whole reporting period. Cropping Intensity (CI) was below the 5YA (-4%). The area had a high CALF (100%) as well as a favorable VCIx (0.95), indicating a high cropping intensity.

The Mixed wheat and sugar-beets zone of the North-west experienced a precipitation deficit (RAIN -8%), somewhat above-average temperature (TEMP, +0.5°C) and below-average radiation (RADPAR, -6%), which led to a decrease (-6%) of BIOMSS. Due to the persistent rainfall deficit during the wheat growing period, the NDVI values and crop condition were close to or below average during the monitoring period. The area had a high CALF (100%) and a high VCIx (0.95). Cropping Intensity (CI) was slightly below the 5YA (-1%).

The Central wheat zone of Saxony and Thuringia is another major winter wheat zone. Compared to the average, the rainfall (+10%) and temperature (+0.4°C) for this area were above average, but the radiation was below average  (RADPAR, -3%). Due to the persistent rainfall deficit in July monitoring period, the biomass potential (BIOMSS) fell 3% below average. NDVI values were below average during this monitoring period except in late August based on the crop condition development graph. Cropping Intensity (CI) was below the 5YA (-3%). The area had a high CALF (100%) and VCIx was at 0.95. 

The East-German lake and Heathland sparse crop area experienced above-average rainfall (RAIN, +7%) with above-average temperature (TEMP, +0.5°C), but low radiation (RADPAR, -3%) and below-average BIOMSS (-5%). NDVI values were below average during the early monitoring period and close to average towards the end. Cropping Intensity (CI) was below the 5YA (-6%). The area had a high CALF (100%) and a high VCIx (0.92).

In the Western sparse crop area of the Rhenish massif agro-climatic indicators showed a precipitation deficit (RAIN, -13%) and below-average RADPAR (-5%) and BIOMSS (-3%), but above-average TEMP (+0.7°C). Significant precipitation deficit affected this region from early July to early August. NDVI values were below average during the whole monitoring period except for early July. Cropping Intensity (CI) was slightly above the 5YA (+1%). The area had a high CALF (100%) and a high VCIx (0.92). 

Next to wheat, two summer crops (maize and potato), are the major crops on the Bavarian Plateau. The CropWatch agro-climatic indicators showed a rainfall increase (RAIN, +6%) with above-average temperature (TEMP, +0.3°C), but low radiation (RADPAR, -2%). BIOMSS is expected to slightly increase by 2%. NDVI fluctuated around the 5YA. Cropping Intensity (CI) was slightly above the 5YA (+1%). The area had a high CALF (100%) as well as a favorable VCIx (0.97) with equally favorable crop prospects for the two crops.

Figure 3.13. Germany’s crop condition, July-October 2020

Figure 3.13a. Phenology of major crops in Germany

Figure 3.13b. Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, comparing the July-October 2020 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum

Figure 3.13c. Maximum VCI for the July-October 2020 period

Figure 3.13d. Spatial NDVI patterns for Germany up to October 2020 according to local cropping patterns and as compared to the 5YA (left) and (e) associated NDVI profiles (right)

Figure 3.13e. Proportion of NDVI anomaly categories compared with 5YA in Germany

Figure 3.13f. Proportion of VHIn categories compared with 5YA in Germany

Figure 3.13g. Time series rainfall profile (left) and temperature profile (right) of Germany comparing the July-October 2020 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum

Figure 3.13h. Wheat zone of Schleswig-Holstein and the Baltic Coast crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall profiles (middle) and temperature (right)

Figure 3.13i. Mixed wheat and sugarbeets zone of the north-west crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall profiles (middle) and temperature (right)

Figure 3.13j. Central wheat zone of Saxony and Thuringia crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall profiles (middle) and temperature (right)

Figure 3.13k. East-German lake and Heathland sparse crop area crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall profile (middle) and  temperature (right)

Figure 3.15l. Western sparse crop area of the Rhenish massif crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall profile (middle) and temperature (right)

Figure 3.13m. Bavarian Plateau crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall profile (middle) and temperature (right)

Table 3.17. Germany agro-climatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA,  July-October 2020

Table 3.18. Germany agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's value and departure from 5YA,  July-October 2020