This report covers the primary growing season of winter wheat and the sowing of maize and rice. The CropWatch agro-climatic indicators show that the recorded rainfall was 52 mm, only 2% more than the average of the last 15 years (15YA). The rainfall index graph shows that most rainfall fluctuated around 15YA and exceeded 10 mm during the first decade of January and March. The average temperature was 15.6°C, just 0.1°C higher than the 15YA. The temperature index graph fluctuated around the 15YA. RADPAR and BIOMSS were lower than the 15YA, respectively, by 1.4% and 9%. The nationwide NDVI development graph shows that the crop conditions fluctuated around the 5-year average (5YA). The NDVI profile map indicates that 12.5% of the cultivated area was above the 5YA, 57.3% fluctuated around the 5YA, and 30.3% was below the 5YA. The country's VCIx value was 0.81, and the CALF exceeded the 5YA by 1%. Crop conditions in Egypt were average. The nationwide crop production index (CPI) was at 1.11, implying above-average crop production conditions.

Regional Analysis

Based on the cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, Egypt is subdivided into three agro-ecological zones (AEZ). Only two are relevant for crop production: (1) the Nile Delta and the Mediterranean coastal strip (AEZ 60), as well as (2) the Nile Valley (AEZ 61). In the Nile Delta and Mediterranean coastal strip, the average rainfall was 54 mm, only 3% above the 15YA while in the Nile Valley zone, it was 8 mm, 56% below the 15YA. The temperature was at 15YA in the Nile Delta and the Mediterranean coastal strip and 0.2°C below the 15YA in the Nile Valley. In Egypt, most crops are irrigated, so rainfall has little impact on crop production. RADPAR was below the 15YA by 1.9% and 0.6% for the Nile Delta and the Mediterranean coastal strip and the Nile Valley, respectively. BIOMSS was higher than the 15YA in the Nile Delta and the Mediterranean coastal strip by 2% while it was below the 15YA in the Nile Valley by 36%. The NDVI-based crop condition development graphs show similar conditions for both zones following the national crop development NDVI graph. The VCIx was 0.86 and 0.82 for the Nile Delta and the Mediterranean coastal strip and the Nile Valley, respectively, while the CALF exceeded the 5YA by 1% for both zones, indicating average crop conditions. The nationwide crop production index (CPI) was at 1.07 and 1.13 for the Nile Delta and the Mediterranean coastal strip and the Nile Valley, respectively, implying above normal crop production situation following the nationwide CPI.

Figure 3.14 Egypt'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

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

(f). Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Nile Delta (left) and Nile Valley (right))

Table 3.19 Egypt's agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values, and departure from 15YA, January-April 2023

Table 3.20 Egypt's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values, and departure from 5YA, January-April 2023