During the reporting period, the summer crops (maize, spring wheat and soybean) were grown in Inner Mongolia. Overall, the crop conditions were normal. Rainfall was greatly above average (+32%). TEMP (-0.3°C) and RADPAR (-3%) were both slightly below average, resulting in a below-average estimate for BIOMSS (-3%). The spatial and temporal distribution for these indicators was very uneven. Low temperatures dominated the early growing season from April to June, meanwhile a large increase in rainfall in July caused a below-average RADPAR in some region in Northern Hebei, where the biomass accumulation potential (BIOMSS) was significantly below average. Almost all cropped areas displayed consistently average NDVI during the reporting period.

The fraction of cropped arable land (CALF) reached 93%; VCIx was 0.96. According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions were close to average during the reporting period. The final outcome of the season will depend on weather conditions in August and September.

Figure 4.12 Crop condition China Inner Mongolia, April - July 2021

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

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

(d) Rainfall Index

(e) Temperature Index

(f) Maximum VCI

(g) Biomass departure