In the Ukraine, the harvest of wheat took place in July, whereas the harvest of maize started in September. In that month, the winter wheat sowing started as well. The national NDVI development curve trended slightly lower than the 5-year average until the middle of October. According to agroclimatic indicators, Ukraine experienced a warmer summer, temperature (17.8℃) was 1.1 ℃ higher than the 15-year average, sunshine was normal (967 MJ/m², +2%), while rainfall was a little bit lower than the 15YA (198 mm, -3%). Based on the above situation, potential biomass was projected to be 2% higher than the 15-year average. Agronomic conditions were also favorable: nearly all cropland was cultivated (CALF, 95%,-1%), and maximum VCI reached 0.88. However, the distribution of VCIx was quite uneven. The VCIx gradually decreased from the west to the east. The lowest value (0.5) was observed for the Crimea. According to the NDVI spatial pattern, NDVI was persistently above average mainly in the western area (26.7%), while in the eastern Ukraine (20.6%) it was below average throughout this monitoring period. All in all, crop conditions were generally favorable. 

Regional analysis

Regional analyses are provided for four agro-ecological zones (AEZ) defined by their cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions. They are referred to Northern wheat area with Rivne; Eastern Carpathian hills with Lviv, Zakarpattia and Ivano-Frankivsk Oblasts, Central wheat area with the Poltava, Cherkasy, Dnipropetrovsk and Kirovohrad Oblasts; and Southern wheat and maize area with Mykolaiv, Kherson and Zaporizhia Oblasts.

In the Central wheat area, rainfall was short by 14% compared to the 15YA, with higher temperature (TEMP +1.3°C) and above average radiation (RADPAR +3%). NDVI had reached the 5 year maximum level in July, and then pretty much followed the trend of last year. BIOMSS was 5% above average, CALF reached 100% and VCIx was satisfactory (0.92).

Similar conditions prevailed in Northern wheat area, which had suffered from a rainfall deficit (-8%). However, NDVI trended near the 5 year maximum values.  CropWatch estimated BIOMSS at 3% above average. Overall, crop conditions were favorable for this region. 

Eastern Carpathian hills received more rainfall as compared to 15-year average (317 mm, +12%), temperature was normal (15.4 °C) while radiation was 1% lower than average. Potential biomass was predicted to be slightly below average (-2%).  CALF and VCIx were favorable. All in all, conditions were favorable for this region. 

The Southern wheat and maize area showed average conditions during the monitoring period. Weather was favorable: rainfall and temperature were above average and radiation increased by 4% compared to the average. This area had good CALF (90%) but relative moderate VCI (0.77), which was lower than other AEZs and the NDVI profile remained below average throughout the monitoring period. In summary, the overall situation was just fair for this region. 

Ukraine's crop condition, July - October 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) Time series rainfall profile

(g) Time series temperature profile

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Central wheat area)

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Eastern Carpathian hills)

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Northern wheat area)

(k) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Southern wheat and maize area)

Table 3.73 Ukraine agro-climatic indicators by sub‐national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, July - October 2020

Table 3.74 Ukraine agronomic indicators by sub‐national regions, current season's valuesand departure from 5YA, July - October 2020