The monitoring period covers winter wheat, which had reached maturity by July. The planting of maize and spring wheat was completed in May. The harvest of the summer crops including rice, potatoes and sunflower starts in August and extends into September. CropWatch agro-climatic indicators show below-average temperature (TEMP -1.1°C) over the period except for June. Significantly higher RAIN (+27%) as compared to the 15YA was recorded, which alleviated the drought conditions observed during the last monitoring period. RADPAR was 1% below average. Due to unfavorable temperature and sunshine, the biomass production potential (BIOMSS) is estimated to have decreased by 7% nationwide compared to the 15-year average. The national-scale NDVI development graph shows that the NDVI values were generally lower than in the 2020-2021 season and the 5YA. The crop conditions were above the 5-year average in July only. The spatial distribution of maximum VCI (VCIx) across the country reached an average of 0.92. Overall, below-average temperature and sunshine caused unfavorable growth conditions for most of the monitoring period in France expect for July, which had sufficient precipitation.

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, RAIN and RADPAR were both above average (+51% and +2% respectively), while TEMP was below average (-1.3°C). The BIOMSS also decreased by 6% when compared to the 15YA. The CALF was average, and VCIx was relatively high at 0.95. Crop condition development based on NDVI for this region was below the 5-year average in April and May, but close to and then above the average in June and July.

In the Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean, a cooler (TEMP -1.0°C) and humid (RAIN +22%) season was observed, with higher RADPAR (+2%). For the crops, BIOMSS was 4% lower than average, CALF was at the average level and VCIx was 0.93.  The regional NDVI profile presented an overall below-average trend, but close to average levels starting in June.

In the Maize-barley and livestock zone along the English Channel, RAIN and RADPAR were above average by 29% and 3%. TEMP was lower than average (-0.9°C). BIOMSS decreased by 1%.  CALF was average and VCIx was relatively high at 0.95. The regional NDVI profile also presented an overall lower than but close to average trend.

In the Rapeseed zone of eastern France, the NDVI profile also indicated below-average conditions but was close to and above average in June and July. Overall, RAIN in this period was 37% higher than the 15-year average, while TEMP decreased by 1.5°C and RADPAR dropped by 3%. BIOMSS was about 11% lower than average while CALF was at the average level, and VCIx was 0.92.

In the Massif Central dry zone, TEMP and RADPAR were 1.3°C and 3% lower than the average, respectively, while RAIN increased by 30%. The VCIx was 0.92 and BIOMSS decreased by 11% which indicated a below-average cropping season in the region.  Crop conditions based on the NDVI profile were also showing below-average levels in April and May but close to and above average in June and July.

The Southwestern maize zone is one of the major irrigated regions in France. The regional NDVI profile presented a below-average trend in the first three month of the monitoring period but was above average in July. RAIN in the period was 7% higher than average, while TEMP was 1.0°C lower. RADPAR slightly decreased by 3%. BIOMSS was 9% lower than average, while CALF showed no significant change. The VCIx was recorded at 0.94, indicating slightly below-average crop conditions.

In the Eastern Alpes region, the NDVI profile also presented a below-average trend, but was close to average starting in June. RAIN in the region was 32% higher than average, while TEMP was lower than average (-1.3°C) and RADPAR was 4% lower than the 15YA. BIOMSS was 10% lower than the 15-year average. VCIx for the region was recorded at 0.93 and CALF was at the average level, indicating overall below-average crop conditions.

The Mediterranean zone also indicated an overall lower NDVI profile but was close to average in June and July. The region recorded a relatively low VCIx (0.85). RADPAR and TEMP were 4% and 0.9°C lower than average, while RAIN was higher (10%) than average. BIOMSS and CALF decreased by 3% and 1%. This region is showing below-average crop conditions.

Figure 3.16 France’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 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, April - July 2021

Table 3.24 France’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, April - July 2021