During this reporting period, winter wheat was harvested in June and July. According to the crop condition development graph, NDVI values were below average during the monitoring period, and much lower than the 5YA in April and July. Temperature was above average (TEMP +0.9°C) and solar radiation was above average (RADPAR +3%) as compared to the 15YA. Conditions had already been drier than usual during the previous monitoring period. The overall rainfall was below average (RAIN -55%), mainly due to the fact that the precipitation was much lower than average in mid-April, May, June and July. Biomass was below average compared to the 15YA (BIOMSS -27%). These conditions illustrate that Hungary was much drier than usual. This limited growth and yield of winter wheat. Meanwhile, according to the Hungarian National Water Authority's report, Hungary experienced the driest 7 months since 1901. The proportion of irrigated cropland in Hungary is only 4.3% and rainfall is the predominant factor limiting crop growth. The national CALF was 100%. Winter wheat production is expected to be below average.

The national average VCIx was 0.83. The NDVI departure cluster profiles indicate that: (1) 14.2% of arable land experienced above-average crop conditions from mid-April to mid-June, scattered over the whole country. (2) 28.4% of arable land experienced below-average crop conditions during this reporting period, mainly distributed in Central Hungary and Eastern Hungary. (3) 11.5% of arable land experienced below-average crop conditions from April to mid-June, mainly distributed in Western Hungary. (4) 31.2% of arable land experienced slightly below-average crop conditions from April to May, above average from early June to mid-June, and below average from late June to July, mainly distributed in Western Hungary and Central Hungary. (5) 14.7% of arable land experienced below-average crop conditions in early April, above average from mid-April to early May, and below average from mid-May to July, mainly distributed in Eastern Hungary.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, four sub-national regions are described below: Central Hungary, the Great Plain (Puszta), Northern Hungary and Transdanubia. During this reporting period, CALF was 100% for all the four subregions.

Central Hungary is one of the major agricultural regions in terms of crop production. A sizable share of winter wheat is planted in this region. According to the NDVI development graphs, NDVI values were below average in the entire monitoring period. Temperature and radiation were above average (TEMP +1.1°C and RADPAR +3% respectively). Potential biomass was below average compared to the 15YA (BIOMSS -29%) mainly due to below-average (RAIN -62%) rainfall. The VCIx was 0.81. The crop conditions in this region were below average.

The Puszta (The Great Plain) region mainly grows winter wheat, maize and sunflower, especially in the counties of Jaz-Nagykum-Szolnok and Bekes. According to the NDVI development graphs, NDVI values were below average in early April and mid-April, close to average in late April, and below average from May to July. Temperature and radiation were above average (TEMP +0.7°C and RADPAR +4% respectively). Potential biomass was below average compared to the 15YA (BIOMSS -32%) mainly due to below-average (RAIN -61%) rainfall. The VCIx was 0.78. The crop conditions in this region were unfavorable.

Northern Hungary is another important winter wheat region. According to the NDVI development graphs, NDVI values were below average during the entire monitoring period. Temperature and radiation were above average (TEMP +1.1°C and RADPAR +1% respectively). Potential biomass was below average compared to the 15YA (BIOMSS -35%) mainly due to below-average rainfall (RAIN -65%). The VCIx was 0.83. The crop conditions in this region were below average, but better than in the other regions.

Southern Transdanubia cultivates winter wheat, maize, and sunflower, mostly in Somogy and Tolna counties. According to the NDVI development graphs, NDVI values were below average from April to early June, above average in mid-June, and below average from late June to July. Agro-climatic conditions include above-average temperature (TEMP +1.0°C) and radiation (RADPAR +4%), below-average rainfall (RAIN -44%) . Biomass was below average compared to the 15YA (BIOMSS -18%). The maximum VCI was favorable at 0.89. The crop conditions in this region were unfavorable

Figure.3.18 Hungary's crop condition, April-July 2022

(a). Phenology of major crops

(b) Maximum VCI

(c) Spatial distribution of NDVI profiles

(d) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile

(e) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile (Central Hungary)

(f) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile (The Greatplain)

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile (North Hungary)

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile (Southern Transdanubia)

Table 3.27 Hungary's agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April - July 2022

Table 3.28 Hungary's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, April - July  2022