During this reporting period, the summer crops such as maize and rice were harvested, followed by the sowing of winter wheat in November. The CropWatch agro-climatic indicators showed that rain and temperature were 28% above and 0.1°C below the 15-year (15YA) average, respectively. According to the rainfall profile, Egypt received high rainfall (>10 mm) in mid-November, late-December, and mid to late-January. The temperature profile fluctuated around the 15YA, and it was above the 15YA during November. Both RADPAR (0.6%) and BIOMSS (12%) were above the 15YA. In general, the nationwide NDVI profile was below the 5YA crop conditions. The NDVI spatial pattern shows that only 7.1% of the cultivated area was above the 5YA across the study period, 22.4% was above the 5YA starting from November, 36.7% fluctuated around the 5YA, and 33.9% was below the 5YA. For the whole country, the VCIx value was 0.78, and the CALF exceeded the 5YA by 3%. Together with the NDVI development curve, they indicate average crop conditions.

Regional Analysis

Egypt can be subdivided into three agro-ecological zones (AEZs) based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions. Only two are relevant for crops: 1) the Nile Delta and the Mediterranean coastal strip and 2) the Nile Valley. All agro-climatic indicators for these two AEZs are consistent with the national trend. Rainfall was 23% and 5% above the 15YA, while temperatures were 0.2°C below the 15YA in both zones. Solar radiation (RADPAR) was 0.9% above the 15YA in the first zone but 0.5% below the 15YA in the second. Biomass was above the 15YA by 15% and 10% respectively. CALF was up by 3% and 2%, while the VCIx was 0.80 and 0.82 respectively. The NDVI-based crop condition development graphs in both zones were similar to the nationwide NDVI profile. Since most of the agricultural land in Egypt is irrigated, the rainfall had little impact on the production levels of maize and rice. However, additional water usually has a beneficial effect. 

Figure 3.14 Egypt’s crop condition, October 2021 - January 2022

(a). Phenology of major crops

          (d). Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                        (e). NDVI profiles

           (f). Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Nile Delta (left) and Nile Valley (right)

         (g). Time series profile of rainfall                                        (h). Time series profile of temperature

Table 3.21 Egypt’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values, and departure from 15YA, October 2021 - January 2022

Table 3.22 Egypt’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values, and departure from 5YA, October 2021 - January 2022