This monitoring period covers winter wheat, which had reached maturity by July. The planting of maize and spring wheat was mostly completed in early May. The harvest of the summer crops including rice, potatoes and sunflower starts in August and extends into September. As the proportion of irrigated cropland in France is only 9.1% of the total cropland, rainfall conditions play a decisive role in the growth of most crops. CropWatch agro-climatic indicators show above-average temperature (TEMP +1.8°C) over the period. Temperatures had surpassed the 15-year maximum during several periods between May and July.  RADPAR was 10% above average. However significantly lower RAIN (-37%) as compared to the 15YA was recorded, which aggravated the drought conditions observed during the last monitoring period. Due to extremely unfavorable rainfall and the relatively warm temperature conditions, the biomass production potential (BIOMSS) is estimated to have decreased by 14% nationwide compared to the 15-year average. The national-scale NDVI development graph shows that the NDVI values were generally lower than in the 2020-2021 season and the 5YA especially after May. The spatial distribution of maximum VCI (VCIx) across the country reached an average of 0.85 only. Overall, significant drought conditions caused unfavorable growth conditions for the whole monitoring period in 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, TEMP and RADPAR were both above average (+1.3°C and +10% respectively), while RAIN was below average (-29%). The BIOMSS also decreased by 13% when compared to the 15YA. The CALF was average, and VCIx was at 0.86. Crop condition development based on NDVI for this region was close to the 5-year average in April and mid-May, but then below the average in June and July.

In the Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean, a warmer (TEMP +1.9°C) and sunnier (RADPAR +12%) season was observed, with lower RAIN (-26%). For the crops, BIOMSS was 10% lower than average, CALF was at the average level and VCIx was relatively high at 0.88.  The regional NDVI profile presented an overall below-average trend, only close to average levels in April.

In the Maize-barley and livestock zone along the English Channel, TEMP and RADPAR were above average by 1.7°C and 10%. TEMP was lower than average (-31%). BIOMSS decreased by 14%.  CALF was average and VCIx was relatively high at 0.88. The regional NDVI profile also presented an overall lower than average trend but close to average in April and May.

In the Rapeseed zone of eastern France, the NDVI profile also indicated below-average conditions but was close to average from mid-April to mid-May. Overall, RAIN in this period was 36% lower than the 15-year average, while TEMP and RADPAR increased by 1.3°C and 12%. BIOMSS was about 15% lower than average while CALF was at the average level, and VCIx was 0.86.

In the Massif Central dry zone, TEMP and RADPAR were 1.8°C and 13% higher than the average, respectively, while RAIN decreased by 38%. The VCIx was 0.88 and BIOMSS decreased by 17% which indicated a below-average cropping season in the region.  Crop conditions based on the NDVI profile were also showing below-average levels but only close to average in early May.

The Southwestern maize zone is one of the major irrigated regions in France. The regional NDVI profile presented a below-average trend during the whole monitoring period. RAIN in the period was 44% lower than average, while TEMP and RADPAR was 1.8°C and 10% higher than the average levels. BIOMSS was 16% lower than average, while CALF showed no significant change. The VCIx was recorded at 0.84, confirming the below-average crop conditions.

In the Eastern Alpes region, the NDVI profile also presented a below-average trend, but was close to average in late April and early May. RAIN in the region was 44% lower than average, while TEMP was higher than average (+1.9°C) and RADPAR was increased by 10%. BIOMSS was 15% lower than the 15-year average. VCIx for the region was recorded at 0.83 and CALF was at the average level, indicating overall below-average crop conditions. 

The Mediterranean zone also indicated an overall lower NDVI profile but was close to average in late April and late May. The region recorded a relatively low VCIx (0.78). RADPAR and TEMP were 6% and 2.8°C higher than average, while RAIN was lower (-44%) than average. BIOMSS and CALF decreased by 13% and 1%. This region is showing below-average crop conditions and agricultural production situation.

Figure 3.5 France’s crop condition, April - July 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, April - July 2022

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