In Belarus this reporting period includes the planting of spring wheat and summer crops, which was mostly completed in May. The harvest of winter wheat started in July. The nationwide rainfall amount reached 317 mm, which was near the 15YA. Solar radiation (RADPAR +2%) and temperature (TEMP +0.4°C) were slightly above the 15YA, the potential biomass was 13% above average. Agronomic conditions were shown as favorable: very good values of VCIx (0.94) and cropped arable land fraction (CALF 100%) were observed.

The NDVI development graph was generally below the 5-year average from April to early May and recovered in June. The NDVI departure clustering showed diverse patterns. In about 42.1% of cropped area, crop conditions were close to or above the 5-year average. About 57.9% of cropped areas showed NDVI values that were 0.1 units below average, mostly scattered in the south-east and along the southern-western border. Average national VCIx reached 0.94, indicating fair crop prospects in most cropped area. Overall, the agronomic conditions were satisfactory during the current monitoring period. Winter wheat production and summer crop development were favorable.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping system, climatic zones and topographic conditions, regional analyses are provided for three agro-ecological zones (AEZ), including Northern Belarus (028, Vitebsk, northern area of Grodno, Minsk and Mogilev), Central Belarus (027, Grodno, Minsk and Mogilev and Southern Belarus (029) which includes the southern halves of Brest and Gomel regions.

Northern Belarus (Vitebsk, northern area of Grodno, Minsk and Mogilev) recorded a minor increase in radiation (RADPAR +1%), temperature (TEMP +0.6°C) as well as rainfall (RAIN +1%).  BIOMSS was 15% above average. The VCIx reached 0.94, and CALF reached 100%. The NDVI development curve was close to average in April, early May and June. Overall crop conditions are normal.

Central Belarus (Grodno, Minsk and Mogilev) also experienced a minor increase in rainfall (+1%) and temperature (+0.3°C) as well as sunshine (+2%). Potential biomass increased about 12%. High CALF (100%) and VCIx (0.94) were also recorded. Similar to Northern Belarus, the NDVI growth curve remained close to the average trend from April to June.

Precipitation in Southern Belarus was lower by 7%, while temperature and radiation were slightly higher by 0.1°C and 3%, respectively. Potential biomass was expected to increase by 10%. The CALF and the VCIx were 100% and 0.95 respectively. Agronomic indicators showed that crop growth was generally favorable. The average NDVI development curve suggests that from April to June, crop conditions were generally close to average for most of the time.

Figure 3.10 Belarus's crop condition, April–July 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 time series 

(g) Temperature time series

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (North Belarus)

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Central Belarus)

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (South-west Belarus)

Table 3.11 Belarus's agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April–July 2021.

Table 3.Table 3.12 Belarus's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, April–July 2021