This monitoring period covers the harvest of maize as well as the sowing and early growth period of winter wheat. CropWatch agro-climatic indicators show that the temperature was slightly below average over the monitoring period (TEMP -0.8°C). It was above average only in late December and early January. RAIN was 16% below average, while sunshine (RADPAR) was 12% above. Due to unfavorable precipitation and temperature conditions, the biomass production potential (BIOMSS) is estimated to have decreased by 7% nationwide compared to the 15-year average. The national-scale NDVI development graph shows that the NDVI values were above the 5YA in October and dropped below starting in November. Cropped arable land fraction (CALF) departure value was above average by 1%. The spatial distribution of maximum VCI (VCIx) across the country also reached a range of 0.85 to 1. Overall, crop conditions were close to average.

Regional analysis

Considering cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, additional sub-national details are provided for eight agro-ecological zones. They are identified on the maps by the following numbers: (78) Northern barley region, (82) Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean, (79) Maize-barley and livestock zone along the English Channel, (80) Rapeseed zone of eastern France, (75) Massif Central dry zone, (81) Southwestern maize zone, (76) Eastern Alpes region and (77) the Mediterranean zone.

In the Northern barley region, slightly cooler weather was observed (TEMP -0.3°C) while RADPAR was above average (7%) and RAIN was below average (-7%). The BIOMSS decreased by 3% when compared to the 15-year average. The CALF was higher than the average (+2%), and VCIx was 0.94. Crop condition development based on NDVI for this region was close to the 5-year average, but lower than average on November.

In the Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean, slightly cooler (TEMP -0.9°C) and drier (RAIN -29%) conditions were observed and RADPAR was above average by 18%. BIOMSS was below average by 14% while the NDVI profile showed the regional crop conditions were slightly lower than average levels especially in November.  The CALF was increased by 2%, and VCIx was 0.88.

In the Maize-barley and livestock zone along the English Channel, RAIN and TEMP were below average by 22% and 0.3°C. RADPAR was higher than the average (+17%). BIOMSS decreased by 7%. CALF was average and a relatively high VCIx was recorded at 0.96, all indicating normal crop conditions, except for late December, when precipitation was below average. 

Overall, in the Rapeseed zone of eastern France, RAIN in this period was 18% lower than the 15-year average, while TEMP decreased by 1°C and RADPAR was increased by 12%. BIOMSS was about 8% lower than average with a high VCIx level (1.0). CALF was above average by 1%. The NDVI profile indicated that the crop conditions were close but slightly below the 5-year average especially in November and December.

In the Massif Central dry zone, TEMP and RAIN were 1.1°C and 18% lower than the average, respectively, while RADPAR increased by 15%. The VCIx was 0.97 and BIOMSS decreased by 8% which indicates below-average conditions in this region. CALF was average. Crop conditions based on the NDVI profile indicated that growth conditions were above average before November and below average after November.

The Southwestern maize zone is one of the major irrigated regions in France. The regional NDVI profile presented an average trend except for December and January, when the VCIx recorded moderate levels (0.93) and BIOMSS was 4% lower than average. RAIN in the period was 5% lower than average, while TEMP was 0.9°C lower. RADPAR increased by 11%. CALF was above average by 1%.

In the Eastern Alpes region, crop conditions presented a below-average trend. RAIN and TEMP in the region were 11% and 1.1°C lower than average, while RADPAR was 11% higher than the average. BIOMSS was also lower than the 15-year average (-9%). VCIx for the region was recorded at 0.95. CALF increased by 3%.

In the Mediterranean zone, NDVI also recorded a below-average trend. The region recorded a relatively low VCIx level (0.85). RAIN and TEMP were lower than the average (-22% and -0.6°C, respectively), while RADPAR was higher than average 9%. CALF also increased by 2%. BIOMSS was below average by 6%.

Figure 3.5 France’s crop condition, October 2021 - January 2022

(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) Rainfall profiles                                                                                         (g) Temperature profiles

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Northern barley region (left) and Mixed maize, Barley and Rapeseed zone (right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Maize, barley and livestock zone (left) and Rapeseed zone (right))

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Dry Massif Central zone (left) and Southwest maize zone (right))

(k) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Eastern Alpes region (left) and Mediterranean zone (right))

Table 3.1 France’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, October 2021 - January 2022

Table 3.2 France’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, October 2020 - January 2021