During this monitoring period, the harvest of winter wheat was mostly completed by the end of July. Harvest of the summer crops, such as maize and sunflowers, started in September. 

At the national level, accumulated rainfall was below average (RAIN -37%), temperature increased by 1.2°C, and radiation was average. BIOMSS was below average (BIOMSS -17%) due to lower rainfall from July to mid-August as compared to the 15YA. According to the national NDVI development graphs, crop conditions were below average from July to mid-September, which were mainly due to lower rainfall during this period. However, drought conditions in Hungary had already started in May. Conditions improved in October. The maximum VCI value reached 0.77 at the national level and the cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was at 99%. Crop Production Index (CPI) was 0.95. Crop production in Hungary is expected to be below average.

Some spatial and temporal detail is provided by the NDVI clusters: All of Hungary was below average from July to early September, the key growing period for summer crops, such as maize. Abundant rainfall in late September improved the situation, which may have helped with the establishment of the new winter wheat crop. However, that increase in rainfall had no effect on the summer crops, as they had already reached maturity by late September. 

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic  conditions,  Hungary  is  divided  into  four sub-regions: Northern Hungary (88), Central Hungary (87), the Great Plain (Puszta) (86) and Transdanubia (89). Specific observations for the reporting period are included for each region.

Central Hungary (87) is one of the major agricultural regions in terms of crop production. A sizeable share of winter wheat, maize and sunflower is planted in this region. According to the NDVI development graphs, crop conditions were below average from July to mid-September, which was mainly due to below-average rainfall.  Agro-climatic conditions include below-average rainfall (RAIN -41%) and radiation (RADPAR -1%), and above-average temperature (TEMP +1.5°C). Biomass was below average (BIOMSS -17%) due to the lower rainfall. The VCIx was 0.76. CALF was 99% (-1%). CPI was 0.90. Cropping intensity was 104% (+1%). The crop production in this region is expected to be below average. 

The Puszta (86) region mainly grows winter wheat, maize and sunflower, especially in the counties of Jaz-Nagykum-Szolnok and Bekes. According to the NDVI development graphs, crop conditions were below average from July to mid-September, mainly due to lower rainfall from June to mid-August, above the 5-year maximum in late September and early October, and average in mid to late October. Total rainfall was below average (-37%). Temperature was above average (TEMP +1.1°C) and radiation was average. Biomass was below average (BIOMSS -17%) due to the lower rainfall. The maximum VCI was 0.75. CALF was 99% (-1%). CPI was 0.94. Cropping intensity was 104% (-2%). The crop production in this region is expected to be below average.

Northern Hungary (88) is another important winter wheat region. According to the NDVI development curve, crop conditions were below average from July to mid-September, which was mainly due to low rainfall, which was far below average (RAIN -42%). Temperature was above average (TEMP +1.5°C), and radiation was below average (RADPAR -2%). Estimated biomass decreased (BIOMSS -20%) due to the lower rainfall. The maximum VCI was 0.70. Cropping intensity was 105% (-2%). CALF was 99% (-1%). CPI was 0.98. So the crop production in this region is expected to be below average.

Southern Transdanubia (89) cultivates winter wheat, mostly in Somogy and Tolna counties. Crop conditions were below average from July to mid-September, which was mainly due to lower rainfall from June to mid-August, close to average in late September and early October, and fell to below average in mid to late October. The rainfall was below average (RAIN -36%). Temperature was above average (TEMP +1.2°C), and radiation was average. Estimated biomass decreased (BIOMSS -16%) due to the lower rainfall. The maximum VCI was 0.77. Cropping intensity was 104% (-4%). CALF was 100%. CPI was 0.99. The crop production in this region is expected to be below average.

Figure 3.19 Hungary’s crop condition, July-October 2022

(a). Phenology of major crops

(b) Maximum VCI

(c) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA            (d) NDVI profiles

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

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

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

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

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

Table 3.30 Hungary’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, July-October 2022 

Table 3.31 Hungary’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, July-October 2022