During this reporting period, winter wheat harvest was completed in July. The new crop was sown in October. Based on the agroclimatic and agronomic indicators, the crop conditions in Italy were below the 5-year average during this reporting period.

At the national level, rainfall was below the 15YA (-4%). The radiation and temperature were unchanged. Potential biomass production was 1% above average. CALF was 85%. The national VCIx was 0.75. The crop condition development graph indicates that NDVI was below average in July and August, and near the 5YA in September and October. In summary, the overall crop conditions were far below average in July and August.

About 18.6% of the crops (areas in red color), mainly located in the north Italy (Piemonte and Lombardia), showed a positive departure from the 5YA from September to October. 11.0% of arable land experienced below-average crop conditions (areas in light green color), scattered in Umbria, Molise and Marche. About 21.4% (areas in green color) of arable land, mainly in Lombardia, Lazio and Sardegna, experienced below-average crop conditions between July and August, above-average conditions between September and October. On about 20.0% (areas in yellow color) of arable land, NDVI was near average. For the remaining 19.1% (areas in blue color) of arable land, NDVI remained above average. The crop production index was 0.91.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, four sub-national zones can be distinguished for Italy. These four regions are East coast (108), Po Valley (105), Islands (107) and Western Italy (106).

East coast (mainly in Puglia, Marche and Abruzzi) experienced below-average rainfall (RAIN -20%), above-average temperature (TEMP +1%) and solar radiation (RADPAR +1%). The precipitation was above average in early August and September, but below average in July and October. The potential biomass production showed a decrease (BIOMSS -3%). VCIx was 0.73. The Cropping Intensity was 104%, cropped arable land fraction was 58%, and crop production index was 0.87. The crop condition development graph indicates that NDVI was below average in July and August and conditions were generally below average.

Crop production in the Po Valley (mainly in Piemonte, Lombardia and Veneto) was affected by slightly higher rainfall (RAIN +8%) and temperature (TEMP +2%). The solar radiation was unchanged. BIOMSS was above the 15YA by 10% and VCIx was 0.70.  The Cropping Intensity was 101%, Cropped arable land fraction was 97%, crop production index was 0.84. The crop condition development graph indicates that the crop condition was far below average in July and August. According to the agro-climatic indicators, a below-average output can be expected, especially due to the poor conditions in July and August and conditions were generally below average.

The Islands recorded below-average precipitation (RAIN -40%) and slightly above-average temperature (TEMP +2°C). RADPAR was slightly below average (-1%). BIOMSS decreased by 11% compared with the 15YA. The maximum VCI was only 0.68, which is the lowest among the four AEZs in Italy. And the Cropping Intensity is the lowest in the four regions. Crop production index reached 1.14, the highest in the AEZs. NDVI was very close to average throughout the monitoring period. The crop production in this region is expected to be slightly below average.

In Western Italy, RAIN was below average (-15%) and TEMP was above average (+2%). The RADPAR was unchanged. The precipitation was below average in July and August, and the biomass production potential decreased in this region by 4%. The Cropping Intensity was 125%, which is the highest in the four AEZs. The NDVI was slightly below average in July and August. VCIx was 0.69. CropWatch expects a significant below-average production.

Figure 3.24 Italy’s crop condition, July 2022- October 2022

(a) Phenology of major crops

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

(c) Maximum VCI

(d)Spatial distribution of NDVI profiles. 

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

(f) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, RAIN and TEMP (Po Valley).

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, RAIN and TEMP (Ialands).

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

Table 3.45 Italy’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, April 2022-July 2022

Table 3.46 Italy’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, April 2022-July 2022