Due to the cold winter weather, no crops were grown in the northeast of China during this monitoring season (January to April 2021). CropWatch Agroclimatic Indicators (CWAIs) show that the precipitation greatly deviated from the average level. The total precipitation increased by 26%. It was above average level in mid-January, late January, mid-February, mid-March and late March. The photosynthetically active radiation was below average (RADPAR - 5%) and the temperatures were above average (TEMP +0.9 °C).  Altogether, the potential biomass was 24% above the fifteen-year average level.  

Overall, higher precipitation and warmer temperatures are beneficial to the spring sowing in the northeast of China. However, sowing dates in some low-lying areas in Northeast China were delayed due to waterlogging caused by above average rainfall. Warmer temperatures in May will facilitate the germination and good establishment of the summer crops. 

Figure 4.7 Crop condition China Northeast region, January - April 2021

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(b) Time series rainfall profile

(c) Time series temperature profile

(d) Potential biomass departure from 15YA

(e) Waterlogged  fields of Youyi farm in HeiLongjiang province  (Left, March 22nd; Right, April 22nd, 2021)