In Russia, the period from January until April is comprised of two parts: snow melting and the beginning of crop growth. The planting of spring crops started in April in the south.

NDVI stayed low unil late March due to snow cover. In April, it generally remained below the trend of the 5YA. Precipitation was generally close to the level of the previous year, except for April, when it exceeded the level of the last year and the 15-year average. Air temperatures mainly continued below the level of the previous year until the end of March.

Main regions of winter crop production showed negative NDVI departures during most of the analyzed period. In Middle Volga, Siberia, Central and Central Black soil regions VCIx was below 0.8. Positive NDVI departures were observed in April in Northern and Southern Caucasus. The VCIx values for these areas were 0.8-1.

The conditions of winter crops in Russia were negatively influenced by the lack of precipitation in autumn 2020. It slowed the germination and establishment of winter crops and the lasting effect can be seen in lower NDVI values for the analysed period compared to the 5-year average and the levels of the previous year. The situation in Middle Volga, Central and Central Black soil regions may have been worsened by  the ice crusts on the soil surface during the dormant period of winter crops. Agroclimatic conditions were more favorable in the southern regions. The prospects for the winter crops are less favorable than last year.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, twelve agro-ecological zones (AEZ) are identified for Russia, among which nine  are relevant for crop cultivation: South Caucasus, North Caucasus ,Central Russia，Central black soil area，Middle Volga, Ural and western Volga, Western Siberia, Middle Siberia and Eastern Siberia.

South Caucasus 

Rainfall was at the level of the 15-year average. Temperature was 0.4 °C above the 15-year average. RADPAR was 5% below the 15-year average. Biomass was 1% below the 15-year average. CALF was 8% below 5-year average. VCI was 0.84. NDVI stayed mainly below 5-year average and the level of the previous year until the middle of April. In general, agroclimatic conditions were favourable for winter crops. The negative influence of autumn drought was compensated for and crop conditions improved in April to the level of the previous year and the 5-year average. The yield of winter crops is expected to be at the same level as last year.

North Caucasus

RAIN was 26 % above average, TEMP was near average and RADPAR was 12% below average. BIOMSS was 4% below average. CALF was 36% below 5-year average. VCIx was 0.65. NDVI mainly stayed below the 5-year average and the level of the previous year. The conditions for winter crops in this region were below average. A decrease in yield can be expected.

Central Russia and Central black soil area 

The agroclimatic indicators show that the precipitation in Central Russia and Central black soil area was above the 15-year average by 19% and 22% respectively. Air temperature in both regions was below 15-year average: by 0.9°C in Central Russia and by 0.3°C in Central black soil area. The photosynthetically active radiation showed the same tendency. It was below the 15-year average by 17% in Central Russia and by 10% in Central black soil area. Biomass dropped by 11% in Central Russia and by 8% in Central black soil area, CALF was down by 27% and 57% respectively. VCIx was 0.87 in Central Russia and 0.61 in Central Black soil area. NDVI was mainly below the 5-year average and the level of the previous year. The state of winter crops in these regions is negatively influenced by the drought in autumn of 2020 and the ice crusts that developed on soil surface during winter. A decrease is expected in the yield of winter crops as compared to the previous year.

Middle Volga 

Precipitation was 9% above the 15-year average. Air temperature was 0.2°C below the 15-year average. RADPAR was 8% below the 15-year average. Biomass was 6% below 15-year average. CALF was 49% below the 5-year average. VCIx was 0.73. NDVI was mainly below the 5-year average and the level of the previous year until April when it reached the level of the previous year. The state of winter crops in this region is negatively influenced by the drought in autumn of 2020 and the ice crusts that developed on the soil surface during winter. A decrease is expected in the yield of winter crops as compared to last year.

Ural and western Volga 

Rainfall was 11% below the 15-year average. Air temperature was 0.3°C below 15-year average. RADPAR was 2% below 15-year average. Biomass was 5% below 15-year average. CALF was 20% above the 5-year average. VCIx was 0.90. NDVI was mainly close to the 5-year average and the level of the previous year. Conditions for winter crops were normal for this region. The yield is expected to be above the level of the previous year.

Western Siberia, Middle Siberia and Eastern Siberia 

The agroclimatic indicators showed that there was an increase in rainfall in all these regions compared to the 15-year average: by 14% in Western Siberia, 30% in Middle Siberia and 15% in Eastern Siberia. Air temperature decreased in Western Siberia by 0.3°C, but increased in Middle and Eastern Siberia by 0.3°C and 0.6°C respectively. RADPAR was 4-7 % below the 15-year average. The unfavourable agroclimatic conditions resulted in a decrease of biomass in Western Siberia and Middle Siberia by 12% and 3%. In Western Siberia CALF was 60 % below the 5-year average, while in Middle and Eastern Siberia it was up by 9%.  NDVI was mainly below or close to the 5-year average and the level of the previous year. The area of winter crops is insignificant in these regions, therefore their agroclimatic conditions will not affect winter crop production in the Russia Federation.

(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) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Southern Caucasus and Northen Caucasus)

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Central Russia and Central black soils area)

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Middle Volga and Ural and western Volga region)

   (i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Eastern Siberia and Middle Siberia)

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Western Siberia)

                                             (k) Rainfall index                                                                        (l) Temperature index

Country’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, January – April 2021

Country’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, January – April 2021