2.6 Western Europe

This report covers the vegetative and reproductive periods of summer crops and the sowing of winter crops in the major production zone (MPZ) of Western Europe. Generally, crop conditions were below average in most parts of this region due to persistent dry and hot weather conditions (Figure 2.6).

CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that the whole MPZ had a significant deficit in RAIN (19% below average), which had persisted since spring. Rainfall patterns can be characterized as follows: (1) precipitation hovered around the average in 34.6 percent of the MPZ areas throughout the entire monitoring period. This includes most parts of Spain, north-west, central and south-east Italy, north-east Germany (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State); (2) precipitation was below average from early-July to late October, with the exception of September, in 38.3% of the MPZ. The largest negative departures were observed between in July and August, the most critical months for the summer crops. It predominantly affected parts of United Kingdom and Germany, northern and north-eastern France (Picardy, Lorraine, Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne, Burgundy); (3) precipitation in Eastern England (Norfolk, Suffolk) & South West England (Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire), most of France and northern Italy was significantly below average during the monitoring period, except for mid-August, as well as early and late September when it was significantly above average, and in mid-October when it was slightly above average. Countries with the most severe precipitation departures included Spain (RAIN -51%), France (RAIN -37%), Germany (RAIN -28%), United Kingdom (RAIN -27%) and Italy (RAIN -21%). Due to persistent and significant precipitation deficit in July and August, flowering and grain filling for the summer crops in those countries were negatively impacted. In addition, there was a lack of water for irrigation, due to the prolonged drought, which had started in this MPZ in February. Therefore, yield losses for the summer crops occurred. Meanwhile, relatively normal autumn weather conditions in October favoured the harvesting of the summer crops and the planting of winter crops.

CropWatch agroclimatic indicators also show that both temperature (TEMP +1.8°C) and sunshine (RADPAR +6%) for the MPZ as a whole were above average.  As shown in the spatial distribution of temperature profiles, 78.9 percent of the MPZ areas (France, Germany, United Kingdom and northern Italy) experienced warmer-than-usual conditions throughout the monitoring period, except for mid-September and late September; 21.1 percent of the MPZ areas (central and south-eastern Italy) experienced temperatures hovering around the average throughout the monitoring period. The spatial distribution of temperature profiles indicates that there were three periods of hot weather in July, early August and mid-October, especially in France, Germany, United Kingdom and northern Italy. 

Due to the persistent significantly below-average precipitation and unfavorable crop conditions, the potential BIOMSS was 7% below average. Significant BIOMSS departures (-20% and less) occurred in north-west Germany, west and central east of England, south-west France and north-east Spain. The average maximum VCI for the MPZ was only 0.75. The lowest VCI values occurred in areas for which negative BIOMSS departures (-20% and less) were observed as well. More than 88% of arable land was cropped, which was 3% below the recent five-year average. Most uncropped arable land was concentrated in Spain and southeastern Italy, with patchy distribution in central France, south-west France, north-west Italy and other countries. The VHI minimum map shows that France, Germany, Italy, Spain and United Kingdom were most affected by severe drought conditions, which is consistent with continuous precipitation deficits in these countries during the monitoring period. Cropping intensity reached 109%, which was down by 1% compared to the five-year-average across the MPZ.

Generally, crop conditions were below average in most parts of this MPZ. Crop yields have been negatively affected in most countries and need to be paid attention to due to persistent and significant precipitation deficits in the first half of the monitoring period affecting the flowering and grain filling of the summer crops.

Figure 2.6a. Western Europe MPZ spatial distribution of rainfall profiles (left) and profiles of rainfall departure from average (mm) (right), July-October 2022

Figure 2.6b. Western Europe MPZ spatial distribution of temperature profiles (left) and profiles of temperature departure from average (℃) (right), July-October 2022

Figure 2.6c. Western Europe MPZ maximum VCI, July-October 2022

Figure 2.6d. Western Europe MPZ cropped and uncropped arable land, July-October 2022

Figure 2.6e. Western Europe MPZ biomass accumulation potential departure, July-October 2022

Figure 2.6f. Western Europe MPZ VHI minimum, July-October 2022

Figure 2.6g. Western Europe MPZ cropping intensity, November 2020-October, 2022