In South Africa, soybean and maize are the main crops being produced during this monitoring period. In the east, maize harvest started in May, whereas in the west, it started one month later. Soybean harvest began in April and wheat planting in May.

Based on the NDVI development graph, the crop conditions were below the 5-year average in April and May and improved in June and July. It subsequently started to improve over the 5YA levels in June.  At the national level, the CropWatch agroclimatic indicators showed that radiation was slightly above the 15-year average (RADPAR, +5%). With a significantly lower rainfall (RAIN, -36%) and a slightly lower temperature (TEMP, -0.3℃), the potential biomass decreased by 15% compared to the 15-year average. The maximum vegetation condition index (VCIx) was 0.84, and the cropped arable land fraction (CALF) increased by 1% compared with the last 5 years. According to the VCIx, conditions in the western region (such as Western Cape) were better than in the eastern region (like Gauteng, Mpumalanga). As to the spatial distribution of NDVI profiles, crop conditions on about 43.5% of the cropland were above average and about 56.5% of the area was below average during the whole monitoring period. The areas with negative departures were mainly in the center of the eastern region (like Gauteng, Mpumalanga province). Overall, crop conditions were slightly below average. 

Regional analysis

Rainfall in the Arid and desert zones was significantly below average (58 mm, -31%). whereas the average temperature (12.6°C, +0.2°C) and radiation (853 MJ/m², +4%) were slightly above the average, potential biomass was reduced by 17% due to the insufficient precipitation. Cropped arable land fraction (CALF) decreased substantially (-14%) and VCIx was 0.78. The crop condition development graph based on NDVI indicates that the crop conditions were generally below the 5-year average, and only in June they started to become better than the average. Crop production is expected to be unfavorable.

In the Humid Cape Fold mountains, the temperature was near average (14.5 °C, -0.1 °C)，and radiation (826 MJ/m², +5%) was

slightly above average. With significant below-average rainfall (93mm, -32%), potential biomass was below the 15-year average (-4%). CALF was 96% and VCIx was 0.85. The crop condition development graph based on NDVI also indicates normal conditions.

In the Mediterranean zone, the temperature was near average (13.3 °C, 0 °C), while rainfall witnessed a significant increase (316mm, +25%) and radiation was near average (689 MJ/m², +1%). The estimated potential biomass was reduced by 5%. CALF increased substantially (87%, +6%) and VCIx was 0.93. According to the crop condition development graph, the NDVI was above the 5-year maximum for most of the period. Crop conditions were favorable.

In the Dry Highveld and Bushveld maize areas, most agroclimatic indicators were below the 15-year average: rainfall (31 mm, -54%), temperature (11.9 °C, -0.4°C) and radiation (196 MJ/m2, +5%). Potential biomass was reduced by 20%. CALF was above the 5YA (84%, +1%) and VCIx was 0.83. The crop condition development graph based on NDVI indicated similar conditions as in the Arid and desert zones, which became better than the average only at the end of June.  Crop conditions were unfavorable.

Figure 3.45 South Africa's crop condition, April-July 2021

(a) Phenology of the main Crop

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI  

(c) Maximum VCI

(d) Rainfall index 

(e) Temperature index

(f) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                            (g) NDVI profiles

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI Arid desert (left) and Humid sub-tropical (right)

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI semiarid steppe (left)  and Mediterranean (right)

Table3.81 South Africa's agro-climatic indicators by sub‐national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, 

April-July 2021

Table3.82 South Africa's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departures from 5YA, April-July 2021