In Hungary, summer crops were harvested in September and October. Winter wheat was sown in September and October. 

At the national level, accumulated rainfall was below average (RAIN -35%), temperature decreased by 0.2°C, and radiation increased by 3%, which resulted in a below-average BIOMSS (BIOMSS -17%), as compared to the 15YA. According to the national NDVI development graphs, crop conditions were below average throughout the monitoring period. With the maximum VCI value reaching 0.73 at the national level and the cropped arable land fraction (CALF) at 100%, crop conditions are estimated as unfavorable because of lower rainfall. Crop production in Hungary is expected to be below average.

Some spatial and temporal detail is provided by the NDVI clusters: There were two main remarkable areas where the NDVI departure across the period was significant: Excellent crop conditions were observed for 19.5% of the area. It is mainly located in far western Transdanubia and eastern Great Plain, where the NDVI departure was below average in July and above average from August to October. About 35.4% of the area, mainly located in the Great Plain and near the Transdanubia, represents poor crop conditions, which was below average throughout the monitoring period. About 25.9% of the area extending from west to east of Hungry, NDVI was below average from July to early October, and above average in mid-to-late October. For the rest 19.2% of the area, located in the mid-east region of Hungary, NDVI was hovering around average from July to August, and was below average from September to October. 

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, Hungary is divided into four sub-regions: Northern Hungary, Central Hungary, the Great Plain (Puszta) and Transdanubia. Specific observations for the reporting period are included for each region. All sub-regions are characterized by unchanged fractions of cropped arable land (CALF) compared to the average, i.e. 100%, indicating full cropping.

Central Hungary is one of the major agricultural regions in terms of crop production. A sizable share of winter wheat, maize and sunflower is planted in this region. According to NDVI development graphs, crop conditions were below average throughout the monitoring period. Agro-climatic conditions include below-average rainfall (RAIN, -38%) and temperature (TEMP -0.2°C), and above-average radiation (RADPAR +3%), which resulted in a below-average biomass (BIOMSS -16%). The VCIx was 0.68. Meanwhile Cropping intensity was 110% (+9%). So crop production in this region is expected to be below average. 

The Puszta region mainly grows winter wheat, maize and sunflower especially in the counties of Jaz-Nagykum-Szolnok and Bekes. According to NDVI development graphs, crop conditions were below average throughout the monitoring period. The rainfall was below average (-35%). Temperature was also below average (TEMP -0.1°C), whereas radiation was above (RADPAR +2%), which resulted in a below-average biomass (BIOMSS -17%). The maximum VCI was 0.72. Cropping intensity was 117% (+14%). The crop production in this region is expected to be close to, but below average.

Northern Hungary is another important winter wheat region. During this reporting period crops showed unfavorable conditions according to the NDVI development curve. They were below average throughout this monitoring period, except for late August, when NDVI was near average. The rainfall was below average (RAIN -32%). Temperature was slightly below average (TEMP -0.4°C), and radiation was above average (RADPAR +2%). Estimated biomass decreased (BIOMSS -13%) due to the lower rainfall. The maximum VCI was 0.77. Cropping intensity was 125% (+21%). So the crop production in this region is expected to be close to, but below average.

Southern Transdanubia cultivates winter wheat, mostly in Somogy and Tolna counties. Crop condition was below average from July to October. Rainfall and temperature were below average (RAIN -35%; TEMP -0.2°C) , whereas solar radiation was above average (RADPAR +2%) and estimated biomass decreased (BIOMSS -18%) due to the lower rainfall in September and mid-to-late October. The maximum VCI was 0.74. Cropping intensity was 132% (+29%). The crop production in this region is expected to be close to, but below average.

Figure 3.18 Hungary’s crop condition, July-October 2020

(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) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile (Central Hungary)

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile (The Greatplain)

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile (North Hungary)

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile (Southern Transdanubia)

Table 3.27 Hungary’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, July-October 2021 

Table 3.28 Hungary’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, July-October 2021