Maize is the most important crop grown in Mexico. In the rainfed production regions of the country, maize reached maturity in September and October. Sowing of irrigated maize started in September. Its main production region is in the northwest. Winter wheat sowing begins in November. Both soybean and rice reached maturity by the end of this reporting period. 

Crop conditions were below average between July and October according to the crop condition development graph based on NDVI. The CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that TEMP (+0.4°C) and RADPAR (+1%) were close to average, but RAIN was down (-6%), which was unfavorable to crop growth, as indicated by a relatively normal value of maximum VCI (0.83). CALF decreased by 6%, compared with the previous 5-year average. BIOMSS decreased by 5% as compared to the average. According its spatial pattern, maximum VCI greatly varied within the country. Very high values (greater than 1.0) occurred mainly in the coastal area of Tamaulipas whereas extremely low values (less than 0.5) occurred in the North (Chihuahua and Sonora). The maximum VCI in other regions of Mexico was moderate, with the values between 0.5 and 1.0. As shown in the spatial NDVI profiles and distribution map, about 17.1% of the total cropped areas were below average during the entire monitoring period, mainly distributed in Chihuahua, Sonora and the western coastal area of Sinaloa, while 22.7% of the total cropped areas, mainly in the coastal area of Veracruz and Tamaulipas, were just slightly above average. An area accounting for 60.2% of the total region changed little and was close to average.

Regional analysis 

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, Mexico is divided into four agroecological regions. They include the Arid and semi-arid region (128), Humid tropics with summer rainfall(129), Sub-humid temperate region with summer rains (130) and Sub-humid hot tropics with summer rains (131). Regional analyses of crop conditions can provide more detail for the production situation in Mexico. 

The Arid and semi-arid region located in northern and central Mexico accounts for about half of the cropland of the country. The maximum VCI was relatively low with a value of 0.70 and CALF decreased by 14%. Compared with the 15YA average, rainfall was reduced by 20%, which caused NDVI to be lower than the average during the July to October period according to the NDVI development graph. TEMP (+0.5°C) and RADPAR (+2%) were higher, but BIOMSS decreased by 9%. On the whole, crop conditions were unfavorable for this region, due to a lack of rainfall.

The Sub-humid temperate region with summer rains is situated in central Mexico. Crop conditions were below average from July to October. The agroclimatic condition showed that RAIN decreased by 6% and TEMP and RADPAR increased by 0.2°C and 2% compared to average, BIOMSS also increased by 1%. The maximum VCI (0.94) confirmed moderate crop condition in this region. 

The Sub-humid hot tropics with summer rains region is located in southern Mexico. During the monitoring period, crop conditions were slightly below average in this region, as shown by the NDVI profiles. Agroclimatic conditions showed that RAIN was significantly below average (-7%) while TEMP and RADPAR were near average (+0.3°C and 0%).The VCIx in these areas was 0.92 and BIOMSS decreased by 1%.  Climatic conditions were close to normal and the relatively high VCI indicates that the crop conditions were near average.

Humid tropics with summer rainfall located in southeastern Mexico. The agro-climatic conditions show that RAIN was above average (+9%), average TEMP was 0.1℃ warmer and RADPAR was down by 1%. As shown in the NDVI development graph, crop conditions were closed to average from July to October. The Maximum VCI (0.95) and suitable climatic conditions confirmed favorable crop condition in this agroecological region.

Figure 3.29 Mexico’s crop condition, July - Oct 2020

(a). Phenology of major crops

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

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA     (e) NDVI profiles

(f) Rainfall profiles           (g) Temperature profiles

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Arid and semi-arid regions (left) and Humid tropics with summer rainfall (right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Sub-humid temperate region with summer rains (left) and Sub-humid hot tropics with summer rains (right))

Table 3.49 Mexico’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, July - Oct 2020

Table 3.50 Mexico’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, July - Oct 2020