The main crops in Syria include barley，rice and wheat. During the current reporting period from April to July, both barley and wheat were in their respective grainfilling stages and reached maturity in May and June, while rice was in the sowing and growth stages. The proportion of irrigated cropland in Syria is about 44% and regular rainfall is crucial to the crop growth. 

Compared to the 15-year average, accumulated rainfall was less than average (RAIN -86%)，while radiation was above average (RADPAR +2%). The temperature was above average (TEMP +1°C), the average temperature value for the reporting period was 24.9°C. The precipitation was generally below average except in late July. The temperature was generally above average except in May and late July. It is noticeable that the temperatures warmed up to above 19°C in early April and stayed above average in April. The drier and higher temperature conditions resulted in a decrease of BIOMSS by 13%. According to the NDVI profiles, the national average NDVI values were far below the 5YA during the grainfilling periods of barley and wheat in April and May.  The national average VCIx was 0.40 and CALF was below average by 36%. Conditions for cereal production in Syria were poor due to the ongoing, multiyear drought as well as the civil war.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, six sub-national agro-ecological regions can be distinguished for Syria, among which five are relevant for crop cultivation: The first (a) and first (b) region, the second region, the third and the fourth region. 

In the first two regions (a and b), the accumulated precipitation was below average, and temperature was above average, while RADPAR was close to average. The hot and dry weather resulted in a decrease of BIOMSS by 13% to 16%. The national average VCIx values were not higher than 0.75 for the two regions. Compared to the other regions, the higher CALF values indicated more agricultural activities in this region, but they were below their 5YA by 2% and 11%, respectively. According to NDVI profiles of two regions, crop conditions were mostly below the 5YA, but surpassed last year's level by the end of this monitoring period. The severe drought limited crop growth.  The conditions for barley and wheat production were not favorable. 

Agro-climatic conditions in the second, third and fourth region were unfavorable. The average rainfall was below average by more than 90%, the temperature and RADPAR were above average. The unfavorable weather conditions led to a decrease of potential biomass by at least 12%. The CALF values in three regions decreased significantly by more than 53%. The average VCIx values in the second region, the third region and the fourth region were 0.4, 0.28 and 0.16. According to NDVI profiles of three regions, crop conditions were below the 5YA, particularly from April to May. Due to the serious rainfall deficit and high temperature in the main growth period, the outputs of wheat and barley in the second region are estimated to be below average, and the barley outputs in the third and fourth region are not favorable either.

Figure 3.39. Syria’s crop condition, April – July 2022

(a). Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(c)  Maximum VCI

(d) Rainfall profiles  

 (e) Temperature profiles

(f) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (The first (a) region)

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (The first (b) region)

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (The second region)

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (The third region)

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (The fourth region)

 Table 3.70. Syria agro climatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from April - July 2022

Table 3.71. Syria, agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA,  April - July 2022