This report covers the production of irrigated wheat, typically sown in November and December, as well as of irrigated winter maize, sown roughly one month earlier. Maize and wheat were at the harvesting stage in March and April, respectively. Rice and soybean sowing began in April.

The proportion of irrigated cropland in Morocco is 35% and agro-meteorological conditions play an important role in the growth of most crops, rainfall is not the major influential factor. The CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that RAIN was near the 15YA, TEMP decreased by 0.1°C and RADPAR was above average (+2%). Accordingly, BIOMSS increased by 2% as compared to the 15YA. CALF was 57%. It had decreased by 5%. The VCIx was 0.73.

In terms of Agro-climatic conditions, precipitation and temperature were at the average level for the country. However, precipitation was not evenly distributed. The rainfall deficit was more pronounced in the north, where the drought conditions persisted. According to VCI spatial patterns, very high values (greater than 1.0) occurred mainly in northern Tamaulipas. Extremely low values (less than 0.5) occurred in the northern border area, mainly in Sonora, Coahuila de Zaragoza and Chihuahua.

As shown in the spatial NDVI profiles and distribution map, 9.1% of the total cropped areas were above average during the entire monitoring period, mainly distributed in Campeche, Yucatán and Tabasco. Half of the total cropped areas were below average. 12.6% of the areas were significantly below average, mainly in Coahuila de Zaragoza, and 36.9% were slightly below average, mainly in Veracruz and Jalisco.

Overall, the crop conditions were similar to last year, but lower than the 5YA average. The prolonged drought still persists, especially in the north. However, the production of irrigated maize and wheat, which predominantly takes place in Sinaloa and Sonora, is close to average. 

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, Mexico is divided into four agro-ecological regions. They include the Arid and semi-arid region (128), Humid tropics with summer rainfall (129), Sub-humid temperate region with summer rains (130) and Sub-humid hot tropics with summer rains (131). Regional analyses of crop conditions provide more details for the production situation in Mexico.

The Arid and semi-arid region, located in northern and central Mexico, accounts for about half of the planted area in the country. The agro-climatic condition showed that RAIN decreased by 40%, TEMP decreased by 0.3°C and RADPAR increased by 3%. According to the NDVI development graph, crop condition in this region was at the same level as last year. CALF decreased by 15% compared with the 5YA. This region was most affected by the below-average rainfall and VCIx was only 0.62.

The region of Humid tropics with summer rainfall is located in southeastern Mexico. RAIN was significantly above average (+59%), TEMP decreased by 0.1℃, RADPAR decreased by 1% and BIOMSS increased by 17%. As shown in the NDVI development graph, crop conditions were close to average from January to April. CALF was 99%. The increased precipitation brought some relief from the drought. The VCIx (0.89) confirms that crops grew better in this region than in other regions, which was due in large part to increased precipitation.

The Sub-humid temperate region with summer rains is situated in central Mexico. According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions were below but close to average, and later recovered to average levels. The agro-climatic conditions were close to the average level. RAIN decreased by 61%, TEMP increased by 0.2°C, RADPAR increased by 3%, and BIOMSS decreased by 21% compared to the 15YA. CALF was 47%, and VCIx for this zone was 0.80.

The region called Sub-humid hot tropics with summer rains is located in southern Mexico. During the monitoring period, crop conditions were close to average as shown by the NDVI time profiles. Agro-climatic conditions were close to average levels, including RAIN (-21%), RADPAR (+2%) and BIOMSS (-10%). CALF was 79%. The VCIx for the region was 0.79.

Figure 3.5 Mexico’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 (Arid and semi-arid regions (left) and Humid tropics with summer rainfall (right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Sub-humid temperate region with summer rains (left) and Sub-humid hot tropics with summer rains (right))

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

Table 3.2 Mexico’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, January - April 2022