This  reporting  period  covers  the  main  growing  season  of  winter  wheat, which  was  sown  between October and December. Based on the agroclimatic and agronomic indicators, the crop conditions in Italy were below the 5-year average from March to April.

The proportion of irrigated cropland in Italy is 40% and agro-meteorological conditions play an important role in the growth of more than half of the crops and rainfall is not the major influential factor. The total rainfall in this period was significantly below the 15YA (RAIN ‐50%), the temperature was below the 15YA (TEMP -0.2°C) and RADPAR was 8% above the 15YA. The lower rainfall was mainly due to below‐average rainfall from  mid‐January  to  late-April,  which  slowed  the  green-up of  winter wheat. The significantly lower rainfall resulted  in a  22% decrease  of  BIOMSS compared  to  the  15YA.  But  CALF at  the  national level was  95%,  close  to  the average (-1%).  And the VCIx was close to normal (0.81). Except  for  a  few  areas  in  the  north  and  south  parts  of  the  country  (Piemonte,  Lombardia, Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto and Basilicata), the VCIx was above 0.80 (green and blue) for most of the cultivated land.

The NDVI departure cluster profiles indicate that 42.9% (red and orange) of arable land  experienced  above‐average  crop  conditions in January and February,  mainly  located  in  Abruzzo, Calabria and Basilicata.  33.9% (Light green and dark green)  of  arable  land  experienced  slightly  below‐average  crop  conditions, scattered in Piemonte, Sicily, Apulia, Campania and Lombardia.  This area is the main distribution area of winter wheat in Italy (Po Valley and part of southeast area). The below-average NDVI indicates that conditions for winter wheat were unfavorable. For the remaining 12% (dark green) of arable land, NDVI remained below average throughout the reporting period. As shown in the NDVI cluster map, on about 26.2% (Light green) of arable land, NDVI was near average in January and February, and then below average in March and April. Overall, prospects for winter wheat are unfavorable. 

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.

East coast (mainly in Puglia, Marche and Abruzzi) experienced below-average rainfall (RAIN -46%), while temperature was slightly lower (-1%) and solar radiation was above 15YA (9%).The potential biomass production was below average (BIOMSS -22%). VCIx was 0.83. The crop condition development graph indicates that NDVI was slightly below average over the past five years. 

Crop production in Po Valley (mainly in Piemonte, Lombardia and Veneto) was affected by low rainfall (RAIN  ‐50%),  above‐average  temperature  (TEMP  +0.3°C)  and solar  radiation (RADPAR+10%).  BIOMSS  was  below  the  15YA  by  12%. VCIx  reached  0.78, which was the lowest among the four AEZs in Italy. The  crop  condition development  graph  indicates  that  the  crop  conditions  were  below  average. The Po Valley is the main wheat producing region in Italy, the significantly low BIOMSS as well as VCIx indicate poor conditions for wheat during this monitoring period. 

The Islands recorded a below-average precipitation (RAIN -54%) and temperature (TEMP -0.6°C). RADPAR was slightly above average (+2%). BIOMSS decreased by 35% compared with the 15YA. The maximum VCI was only 0.79. The Cropping Intensity was 100%, which is the highest in the four regions.  NDVI was very close to average expect for March. The crop production in this region is expected to be close to average.

In Western Italy, RAIN (-52%) and TEMP (-0.3°C) were below, while RADPAR (+10%) was above average. The maximum VCI was 0.83. The severe rainfall deficit caused a decrease in the  biomass production potential in this region by 21%. The NDVI was slightly below average. CropWatch expects a below‐average production.

Figure 3.24 Italy’s crop condition, January - April 2022

(a) Phenology of major crops

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

(c) Maximum VCI

(d)Spatial distribution of NDVI profiles. 

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

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

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

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

Table 3.45 Italy's agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, January - April 2022

 Table 3.46 Italy's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, January - April 2022