During the reporting period, the main summer crops in Inner Mongolia were maize and soybean. Generally, their condition was favorable.

Rainfall was above average (RAIN +8%), TEMP was slightly higher than average by 0.3°C, and RADPAR was just average. The resulting BIOMSS was significantly above average (20%). The NDVI development graph indicates good crop condition from June to August, almost at the same level as the maximum of the 5YA. This is also confirmed by high maximum VCI values in the whole region. National VCIx averages 0.97. In July, about 34.4% of the region was below average, in particular central and eastern Inner Mongolia, northern Hebei, northern Shanxi and western Liaoning, which suffered from moderate drought. Thereafter, crop condition improved and reached— and sometimes exceeded — the maximum of the 5YA from July to August. Favorable rainfall boosted crop growth, as clearly shown by above-average NDVI and confirmed by the spatial NDVI patterns and profiles in the area mentioned above. After September, as crops were reaching ripeness, weather conditions had limited effects on crop yield. CALF in this region was above average by 8% compared to the 5YA. At the same time, cropping intensity was 4% above average at 94%. On the whole, good production is expected from Inner Mongolia.

Figure 4.11 Crop condition in China Inner Mongolia, January – April 2021

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(b) Time series rainfall profile

(c) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA               (d) NDVI profiles

(e) Maximum VCI

(f) Biomass departure