This report for Germany covers the sugar beet harvest in October and the sowing and early growth stages of winter cereals (wheat, barley and rye).  The conditions of crops in Germany were generally near the average levels of the last 5 years.

At the national level, total precipitation was 2% below average, temperature was slightly above average (TEMP +0.1°C), and radiation was significantly below average (RADPAR -11%). As shown by the time series of rainfall profile graph, the precipitation was close to the highest level of the past 15 years in late October. The sowing of winter wheat was mostly completed by then. Most parts of Germany experienced slightly warmer-than-usual conditions during this reporting period, except in mid-October, late November, early December and early January. Due to low sunshine and snow, the biomass production potential (BIOMSS) decreased by 15% as compared to the 15YA.

As shown by the NDVI development graph at the national scale, the NDVI values reached average levels of the last 5 years in November. The subsequent images in December and January were impacted by snow and cloud cover. VCIx reached values as high as 0.95 and CALF was at its maximum (100%). Generally, the agroclimatic and agronomic indicators show normal conditions for most 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 region is among the major winter wheat zones of Germany. It recorded significantly below-average rainfall (RAIN -11%), above-average temperature (TEMP 0.6°C) and below-average radiation (RADPAR -11%). BIOMSS is expected to decrease by 10% as compared to the average. As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the values were close to average until November. Subsequent images were impacted by snow and cloud cover. The area had a high CALF (100%) as well as a favorable VCIx (0.95), indicating a high cropping intensity and normal conditions.

The Mixed wheat and sugar-beets zone of the North-west experienced slightly above-average precipitation (RAIN +1%), somewhat above-average temperature (TEMP +0.4°C) and significant below-average radiation (RADPAR -14%), which led to a decrease (-17%) of BIOMSS. As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the values were close to average until November. Subsequent images were impacted by snow and cloud cover.  The area had a high CALF (100%) and a high VCIx (0.93) indicating normal condition.

The Central wheat zone of Saxony and Thuringia is another major winter wheat zone. Compared to the 15YA, the temperature for this area was above average (TEMP +0.2°C), but the rainfall and the radiation was below average (RAIN -8%; RADPAR -14%). Due to the rainfall deficit from November to December and low sunshine, the biomass potential (BIOMSS) fell 13% below average. As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the values were close to average until November. Subsequent images were impacted by snow and cloud cover.  The area had a high CALF (100%) and VCIx was at 0.96, indicating normal conditions.

The East-German lake and Heathland sparse crop area experienced below average rainfall (RAIN -10%) with slighty above-average temperature (TEMP +0.3°C), but low radiation (RADPAR -7%) and below-average BIOMSS (-9%). As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the values were close to average until November. Subsequent images were impacted by snow and cloud cover.  The area had a high CALF (100%) and a high VCIx (0.93) indicating normal condition.

In the Western sparse crop area of the Rhenish massif agro-climatic indicators showed a precipitation surplus (RAIN, +10%) and above-average TEMP (+0.2°C) but below-average RADPAR (-16%) and BIOMSS (-21%). As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the values were close to average until November. Subsequent images were impacted by snow and cloud cover.  The area had a high CALF (100%), which was 1% above the recent five-year average, and a high VCIx (0.95) that indicates normal conditions.

In the Bavarian Plateau the CropWatch agro-climatic indicators showed a slight precipitation deficit (RAIN -1%) with below-average temperature (TEMP -0.3°C), and low radiation (RADPAR -10%). BIOMSS is expected to decrease by 17%. As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the values were close to average until November. Subsequent images were impacted by snow and cloud cover.  The area had a high CALF (100%) as well as a favorable VCIx (0.96) indicating normal condition.

Figure 3.13. Germany’s crop condition, October 2020-January 2021

(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

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

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Wheat zone of Schleswig-Holstein and the Baltic coast (left) and Mixed wheat and sugar beets zone of the north-west(right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Central wheat zone of Saxony and Thuringia(left) and Sparse crop area of the east-German lake and Heathland (right))

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Western sparse crop area of the Rhenish massif (left) and Bavarian Plateau (right)

Table 3.17 Germany agro-climatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA,  October 2020-January 2021

Table 3.18 Germany agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's value and departure from 5YA,  October 2020-January 2021