The reporting period covers the harvest of winter wheat in southwestern China, whose harvest was concluded by late April. Summer crops (including semi-late rice, late rice and maize) are still growing. Overall, crop conditions were slightly below the 5-year average.

On average, rainfall was slightly above the 15-year average (RAIN +1%), whereas solar radiation was below average (RADPAR -4%). Temperature was close to average (TEMP +0.0°C). The resulting BIOMSS was 1% below average mainly due to lower radiation. The cropped arable land fraction remained at the same level as in the last five years, which indicated the crop planting conditions were generally normal for this period.

According to the NDVI departure clustering map and the profiles, crop condition was slightly below average in most areas of the whole region. Notably, rainfall and RADPAR were below average for Guizhou (-15% and -4% respectively), which hampered the crop photosynthesis and crop growth condition was unfavorable. However, average and higher NDVI throughout the monitoring period was observed in Yunnan, where radiation and precipitation were both above average (See Annex A.11). The maximum VCI reached 0.96, indicating that peak conditions were comparable to the last five years. The rainy and cloudy weather conditions persisted in this reporting period, and conditions were mixed but slightly below average.

Figure 4.16 Crop condition China Southwest region, April - July 2021

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI     (c) NDVI profiles

(d) Maximum VCI

(e) Potential biomass departure from 15YA

(f) Time series rainfall profile

(g) Time series temperature profile