During this monitoring period, winter cereals (wheat & barley) and canola were the main crops in the field. They are mainly grown in the region near Toronto, such as Ontario and Quebec. The winter wheat conditions were below the 5-year average at the beginning of this monitoring period but recovered to the average level at the end, according to the NDVI development graph. 

The proportion of irrigated cropland in Canada is only 5% and agro-meteorological conditions play a decisive role in the growth of most crops. Below-average precipitation and above-average temperature occurred in this monitoring period. According to CropWatch Agroclimatic indicators, the precipitation and radiation were below the 15-year average by 5% and 7%, respectively, while temperatures were above average by 1.1℃. These agroclimatic conditions led to a close to average potential BIOMSS (+2%). According to the NDVI development graph, the spring green-up period was delayed, due to cool weather conditions. The NDVI development curve recovered to normal levels at the end of this monitoring period. The sowing of spring wheat crops will start in May, mainly distributed in the Prairies region, which is the major type of wheat grown in Canada.

Regional analysis

The Prairies (area identified as 53 in the NDVI clustering map) and Saint Lawrence basin (49, covering Ontario and Quebec) are the major agricultural regions.

In the Prairies, the temperature was above average (TEMP +0.4°C), while the precipitation and radiation were lower than the 15-year average (RAIN -14%; RADPAR -5%, respectively). By the end of April, land preparation for the coming sowing season had started.

The Saint Lawrence Basin is the main winter wheat production area in Canada. Most winter wheat is grown in southeastern Ontario, near Toronto and Ottawa.  The precipitation and radiation were below the 15-year average (RAIN -1%; RADPAR -9%), and the temperatures were significantly above average (TEMP +1.8℃). Despite the below-average trend of NDVI occurring at the beginning, the crop condition recovered at the end, and prospects for winter wheat production are normal.

Figure 3.12 Canada's crop condition January-April 2023

(a). Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI  (c) Maximum VCI

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

(f) Rainfall time series                                      (g) Temperature time series 

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Canadian Prairies region (left) and Saint Lawrence basin region (right))

Table 3.15. Canada’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA,  January-April 2023

Table 3.16. Canada agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure, January-April 2023