This report covers the sowing of winter wheat in October and November.  According to the crop condition development graph, NDVI values were slightly below average. In this period, the overall rainfall (RAIN -2%) and temperatures (TEMP, -0.3°C) were slightly below the 15YA. PADPAR was above average (+2%). The combined effect of three factors led to a 3% increase in estimated BIOMSS. 

The national average VCIx was 0.86. CALF (92%) was equal to its five-year average. The NDVI departure cluster profiles indicate that: (1) 19.9% of arable land experienced above-average crop conditions, mainly in Palermo, Agrigento, Gela, Calabria and the east coast. (2) 25.1% of arable land experienced slightly below-average crop conditions, mainly in Verona, Venezia and Grosseto. (3) 22% of arable land, mainly in Ancona, Pesaro, Arezzo and Parma, was slightly below average from October to middle November and above average from late November to January. (4) 33% of arable land was slightly below average in October, above average in November, and below average in December and January, mainly in northern Italy. CropWatch estimates that crop conditions were slightly below but close to average for this monitoring period. 

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, four sub-national regions can be distinguished for Italy. These four regions are East coast, Po Valley, Islands and Western Italy.

On the East coast, rainfall was higher by 2%, while temperature and RADPAR were lower by 0.2°C and 2% respectively and potential biomass was 4% higher than the average of the last 15 years. Higher rainfall mainly occurred in November and early January, while the NDVI was below average from October to middle November, above average late November and early December, below average from middle November to January. VCIx in the subregion reached 0.84, CALF was 82%. It was 2% lower than the average of the last 5 years. In general, crop growth was fair.

In Po Valley, RADPAR was above average by 7%, while rainfall and temperature were lower by 17% and 0.4°C respectively and potential biomass was 1% higher than the average of the last 15 years. Lower rainfall mainly occurred in mid-December, mid and late January. Whereas the NDVI was below average from October to mid-December, and close to average from late December to January. VCIx in the subregion reached 0.87. CALF experienced a 1% increase compared to the 5YA. Overall, agronomic conditions were near average.

Compared to the average of the last 15 years, rainfall on the Islands was significantly higher by 33%, temperature and RADPAR were lower by 0.7°C and 1%, respectively. Abundant precipitation during the growing season was positive for the crops, which resulted in an 8% increase in BIOMSS. The rainfall in early December exceeded the maximum level of the past 15 years. VCIx in the subregion reached 0.86. CALF experienced a 1% decrease compared to the 5YA. During this monitoring period, agronomic conditions were close to average for the islands. 

In Western Italy, rainfall was higher by 7%, while temperature and RADPAR were lower by 0.2°C and 1% respectively and potential biomass was 1% higher than the average of the last 15 years. Higher rainfall mainly occurred in early December and late December of growing season, while the NDVI was below average in October and November, and close to average in December and January. VCIx in the subregion reached 0.85. CALF was average compared to 5YA. Overall, agronomic conditions were close to average for crop growth in this area.

Figure 3.22 Italy's crop condition, October 2021-January 2022

(a). Phenology of major crops

(a). Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, RAIN and TEMP (Italy). 

(b). Maximum VCI

(c). Spatial distribution of NDVI profiles.

(d). Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, RAIN and TEMP (East Italy).

(e). Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, RAIN and TEMP (Po Valley).

(f). Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, RAIN and TEMP (Islands ).

(g). Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, RAIN and TEMP (West Italy).

Table 3.35 Italy's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, October 2021-January 2022

Table 3.36 Italy's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, October 2021-January 2022