This report covers the growing period of winter wheat, as well as the sowing of spring wheat and maize in France. The proportion of irrigated cropland in France is only 9% and agro-meteorological conditions play a decisive role in the growth of most crops. CropWatch agro-climatic indicators, when compared to the 15YA, show that RAIN was 30% lower than average and sunshine was above average (RADPAR +6%). The temperature was at the average level. Due to extremely unfavorable precipitation 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 generally lower than in the 2021 season and the 5YA. The crop conditions were close to the 5-year average in January and February. This is also partly reflected by the spatial distribution of maximum VCI (VCIx) across the country, which reached an average of 0.86. Overall, below-average rainfall starting in mid-January caused unfavorable growth conditions for most of France.

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, RADPAR and TEMP were both above average (+6% and +0.6°C respectively), while RAIN was below average (-19%). The BIOMSS also decreased by 5% when compared to the past 15 YA. The CALF was at the average level, and VCIx was 0.88. Crop condition development based on NDVI for this region was at the 5-year average level during most monitoring period, but it was below average in March.

In the Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean, slightly warmer (TEMP 0.5°C) and sunnier (RADPAR 3%) weather was observed, but precipitation was below average (RAIN -30%). Estimated BIOMSS was 11% lower than average, CALF was at the average level and VCIx was at 0.91. The regional NDVI profile presented a slightly lower but close-to-average trend.

In the Maize-barley and livestock zone along the English Channel, RADPAR and TEMP were above average by 3% and 0.8°C. RAIN was lower than the average (-26%). BIOMSS decreased by 7%.  CALF was average and VCIx was relatively high at 0.94. The regional NDVI profile also presented an overall close-to-average trend, except for mid-January, when it exceeded the 5 years maximum.

In the Rapeseed zone of eastern France, the NDVI profile also indicated general below-average conditions, although it was slightly above the average in early and mid-January. Overall, RAIN in this period dropped by 22% from the average levels, while TEMP increased by 0.1°C.  RADPAR increased by 9%. BIOMSS was about 1% lower than average while CALF was at the average level, and VCIx was 0.9.

In the Massif Central dry zone, TEMP and RADPAR were 0.1°C and 7% higher than the average, respectively, while RAIN decreased by 31%. The VCIx was 0.9 and BIOMSS decreased by 3% which indicated a below-average cropping season in the region.  Crop conditions based on the NDVI profile were also below the average levels.

The Southwestern maize zone is one of the major irrigated regions in France. The regional NDVI profile also presented a below-average trend. RAIN in the period was 29% lower than average, while TEMP was near average. RADPAR slightly increased by 3%. BIOMSS was also 5% lower than average, while CALF was 1% below average. The VCIx was recorded at 0.79, indicating below-average crop conditions.

In the Eastern Alpes region, the NDVI profile also presented an overall below average trend, but it was close to average in late April. RAIN in the region was 36% lower than average, while TEMP was slightly higher than average level (+0.1 °C) and RADPAR was 10% higher than the 15YA. BIOMSS was 8% lower than the fifteen-year average. VCIx for the region was recorded at 0.8 and CALF was at the average level, indicating overall below-average crop conditions.

The Mediterranean zone also presented an overall lower NDVI profile. The region recorded a low VCIx (0.74). TEMP and RADPAR were above average by 1.1 °C and 6%, respectively, while RAIN was lower than average by 45%. BIOMSS and CALF decreased by 19% and 2%. This region is showing below-average crop conditions due to the low precipitation throughout the monitoring period.

Figure 3.16 France’s crop condition, January - April 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 3.25 France’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, January - April 2022

 Table 3.26 France’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, January - April 2022