This monitoring period covers the harvest of maize as well as sowing and the early growth period of winter wheat. CropWatch agro-climatic indicators show that the temperature was slightly below the average over the monitoring period (TEMP -0.1°C). There was a cold spell in early January, when the average temperatures hovered around 0°C. RAIN was 17% above average, while sunshine (RADPAR) was 13% below. Due to unfavorable sunshine conditions, the biomass production potential (BIOMSS) is estimated to have decreased by 18% nationwide compared to the 15-year average. The national-scale NDVI development graph shows that the NDVI values were lower than in the 2019-2020 season, but the crop conditions were close to the 5-year average in October and November. This indicates that winter wheat got well established before colder temperatures in December and January hit the country. This pattern is confirmed by VCIx, ranging from 0.89 to 0.97 across the regions and conditions are generally favorable for the winter crops.

Regional analysis

Considering cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, additional sub-national details are provided for eight agro-ecological zones. They are identified on the maps by the following numbers: (78) Northern barley region, (82) Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean, (79) Maize-barley and livestock zone along the English Channel, (80) Rapeseed zone of eastern France, (75) Massif Central dry zone, (81) Southwestern maize zone, (76) Eastern Alpes region and (77) the Mediterranean zone.

In the Northern barley region, slightly warmer weather was observed (TEMP +0.3°C) while RADPAR was below average (-18%) and RAIN was above average (+24%) over the monitoring period. The BIOMSS decreased by 20% when compared to the 15-year average. The CALF was higher than the average (+1%), and VCIx was 0.93. Crop condition development based on NDVI for this region was below the 5-year average.

In the Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean, environmental conditions were favorable as the VCIx reached 0.94. Compared to the 15-year average, a significant drop in BIOMSS (-15%) was estimated.  Slightly warmer (TEMP +0.1°C) and wetter (RAIN, +1%) conditions were observed and RADPAR was about 12% below the average. The CALF was higher than the average by 3. This region showed average NDVI values compared with the 5- year average.

In the Maize-barley and livestock zone along the English Channel, RAIN and TEMP were above average by 20% and 0.1°C. RADPAR was lower than the average (-12%). BIOMSS decreased by 14%. CALF was average and a high VCIx was recorded at 0.97, all indicating normal crop conditions, except for January, when temperatures were below average. 

Overall, in the Rapeseed zone of eastern France, RAIN in this period was 19% higher than the 15-year average, while TEMP increased by 0.1°C and RADPAR was reduced by 15%. BIOMSS was about 21% lower than average with a moderate VCIx level (0.90). The NDVI profile indicated that the crop conditions were significantly below the 5-year average especially in January.

In the Massif Central dry zone, TEMP and RADPAR were 0.1°C and 17% lower than the average, respectively, while RAIN increased by 19%. The VCIx was 0.93 and BIOMSS decreased by 24% which indicates below-average conditions in this region. Crop conditions based on the NDVI profile were also showing below-average levels after November.

The Southwestern maize zone is one of the major irrigated regions in France. The regional NDVI profile presented an average trend except for December and January, when the VCIx recorded moderate levels (0.94) and BIOMSS was 20% lower than average. RAIN in the period was 37% higher than average, while TEMP was 0.2°C lower. RADPAR dropped by 13%.

In the Eastern Alpes region, crop conditions also presented an average trend but dropped below average starting in December. RADPAR and TEMP in the region were 12% and 0.3°C lower than average, while RAIN was 16% higher than the average. BIOMSS was significantly lower than the 15-year average (-20%). VCIx for the region was recorded at 0.91.

In the Mediterranean zone, NDVI also recorded close to average levels but started to drop in December. The region recorded a moderate VCIx level (0.89). RAIN, TEMP and RADPAR were all lower than the average (-14%, -0.6°C and -8%, respectively). BIOMSS also decreased by 9%.

Figure 3.16 France’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

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Northern barley region (left) and Mixed maize, Barley and Rapeseed zone (right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Maize, barley and livestock zone (left) and Rapeseed zone (right))

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Dry Massif Central zone (left) and Southwest maize zone (right))

(k) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Eastern Alpes region (left) and Mediterranean zone (right))

Table 3.23 France’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, October 2020 – January 2021

Table 3.24 France’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, October 2020 – January 2021