During this reporting period, winter wheat was harvested in June and July. Summer crops, especially maize, rice, sunflower and soybeans were planted in April and early May. According to the NDVI development graph, NDVI values were below average in the entire monitoring period. At the national level, temperature (TEMP +1.6 ºC) was above average starting from mid-May. The solar radiation (RADPAR 3%) was above the 15YA. Rainfall was below average (RAIN -21%), although the levels during the wheat growing season (April and May) were near average, which resulted in a below-average biomass (BIOMSS -4%).  CALF was 99%, and VCIx was 0.81. Except for a few areas in the north and central part of the country (Piemonte, Lombardia, Veneto and Lazio), the VCIx was above 0.80 for most of the cultivated land. Crop Production Index (CPI) was 1.00, which means agricultural production situation is average. The proportion of irrigated cropland in Italy is 39.7%. In summary, the overall crop conditions during this period were slightly below average, as indicated by below average NDVI trends.

About 12.4% of the crops, mainly located in the Po Valley (mainly in Piemonte, Lombardia and Veneto), showed a positive departure from the 5YA in April and May, but were below average in June and July. 64.5% of arable land experienced below-average crop conditions, scattered in Puglia, Umbria, Puglia and Abruzzi. About 23.1% of arable land (mainly in Piemonte, Lombardia and Veneto) experienced below-average crop conditions from early April to mid-April, above-average conditions from late April to late May, and below-average conditions in June and July.

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 -33%), above-average temperature (TEMP +1.1°C) and solar radiation (RADPAR +2%). Temperature was above average mainly due to the higher values during the harvesting period, which had little effect on yield formation. The potential production showed a decrease (BIOMSS -11%) mainly due to the lower rainfall. VCIx was 0.80. The CPI was 1.04. The crop condition development graph indicates that NDVI was below average in the entire monitoring period. Close-to-average wheat crop production can be expected.

Crop production in the Po Valley (mainly in Piemonte, Lombardia and Veneto) was affected by slightly lower rainfall (RAIN -13%) and above-average temperature (TEMP +1.7°C) and solar radiation (RADPAR +3%). BIOMSS was above the 15YA by 4% and VCIx reached 0.77. The CPI was 0.95, which meant the agricultural production situation was slightly below average. The crop condition development graph indicates below-average conditions during the entire reporting period. According to the agro-climatic indicators, a near-average output can be expected.

The Islands recorded a below-average precipitation (RAIN -24%) with above-average temperature (TEMP +1.4°C). RADPAR was average. BIOMSS decreased by 4% compared with the 15YA. VCIx was 0.86. The CPI was 1.07. NDVI was below average in April, above average in May, and below average in June and July. The crop production in this region is expected to be close to average.

In Western Italy, RAIN (RAIN -35%) was below average. The solar radiation (RADPAR +4%) and TEMP (TEMP +1.7°C) were above average.  Biomass decreased in this region (BIOMSS -12%) mainly due to the lower rainfall in mid-April and mid-May of growing season. The NDVI was below average in the entire monitoring period. VCIx reached 0.82. The CPI was 1.03. Close-to-average wheat crop production can be expected.

Figure 3.22 Italy's crop condition, April-July 2022

(a). Phenology of major crops

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

(c) Maximum VCI

(d) Spatial distribution of NDVI profiles

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

(f) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, RAIN and TEMP (North Italy)

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, RAIN and TEMP (South Italy)

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

Table 3.35 Italy's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April-July 2022

Table 3.36 Italy's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA,  April-July 2022