In general conditions for crops from July to October were average in Argentina. Maize and soybean are currently off-season, while wheat was heading to the grain-filling stage at the end of October. Agroclimatic conditions were unfavourable, confirmed by insufficient rainfall and low radiation (RAIN, 13%below average, RADPAR -9%, 19% below average BIOMSS). Similar patterns werefound in most provinces except Misiones which saw almost one third above normal rainfall (See Annex A, table A.3). Lack of rainfall is problematic for theplanting and emergence of maize and soybean in the coming months. Fortunatelykey winter wheat producing Buenos Aires did not suffer from water deficit.Agronomic indicators also showed average conditions.

According to the NDVI-based crop development profile, crop condition was slightly above average but well below the same period last year. As shown inNDVI departure from 5-YA clustering and the corresponding profiles, cropcondition was above average in southern and eastern Buenos Aires. In contrast,NDVI was well below average in regions between Bahia Blanca and Santa Rosa (seesection 2.4 and figure 2.3). VCIx was high in central Buenos Aires where wheatwas at the peak of the growing season when other regions’ had just ended. Inspite of unfavorable meteorological conditions, CALF was 11% above average.Cropping intensity was 4% below average due to persistently high temperature from March to April (May and August bulletins). 

Figure3.5. Argentina crop condition, July-October 2015