This reporting period covers the growth and grainfilling period of winter wheat. Summer crops had been sown in April and May in the Western European Major Production Zone (MPZ). Most crops in this production are mainly rainfed and agro-meteorological conditions play a crucial role. Generally, most part of Spain and Germany, central and eastern France experienced rainfall deficits and warmer-than-usual conditions. Crop conditions in the other regions of the  MPZ were above average or close to average based on the interpretation of agro-climatic and agronomic indicators monitored by Cropwatch (Figure 2.6).

The continued precipitation deficit had started last summer and precipitation was slightly below average (-2%) in this reporting period. According to the spatial distribution of rainfall profiles, the spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall varied considerably between countries, and rainfall patterns can be characterized as follows: (1) Precipitation in Spain, central Aquitaine in France, and northeastern Rhône-Alpes region in France, covering 19.8% of the MPZ areas (green areas in Fig. 2.6a), was generally below average during most of the monitoring period, except for the period from late-May to mid-June; (2) 39.7% of the MPZ (the orange area in Fig. 2.6a) received below-average precipitation for almost the entire monitoring period, except for mid-April, early-May, late-June and late-July, when it was slightly above average. This includes most of Germany, central and eastern France; (3) Precipitation was above average in 33.3% of the MPZ (blue areas in Fig. 2.6a), except for the period from mid-May to late-June, when precipitation was significantly below average. This includes UK, northwestern and southern Germany, Brittany, Normandy, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Picardy of France; (4) For the rest of the monitoring area (7.3%, dark green areas in Fig. 2.6a), covering central, southeastern France, northern and central Italy, precipitation was significantly above average, except for below-average precipitation in early April and late July. The countries with the most severe precipitation deficits were Spain (RAIN -37%), Germany (RAIN -10%) and France (RAIN -4%). The pronounced and intermittent precipitation deficit in the southern and central part of the MPZ may have negatively impacted the yield of winter crops, and as well as the establishment and growth of summer crops.

Temperature for the MPZ as a whole was slightly above average (TEMP +0.3%) and radiation was average. As shown in the spatial distribution of temperature profiles, 15.9 percent of the MPZ areas (Spain and northern Italy) experienced significantly warmer-than-usual conditions, except for early-May; 24.4 percent of the MPZ areas (Central and south-eastern Italy, eastern and southern Germany) experienced below-average temperatures throughout the monitoring period, except for mid-June and mid-July; 26.3 percent of the MPZ areas (UK, northern and northwestern Germany) experienced warmer-than-usual conditions during the monitoring period, except for April, late-May, early-June and late-July; 33.4 percent of the MPZ areas (France and western Germany) experienced warmer-than-usual conditions, except for early-April, early-May and late-July. Overall, hot weather swept through the western part of the MPZ in the period from early-June to mid-July, and two heat waves swept through Spain and northern Italy; High temperatures shortened the grain filling stage of crops and accelerated the maturity, which may have reduced crop yields.

Due to the slight precipitation deficit, average radiation, and warmer-than-usual conditions, the potential BIOMSS was 3% below average. The lowest BIOMSS values (-20% and less) were observed for most parts of Spain, most parts of Germany, and northeastern France. In contrast, BIOMSS was above average (+20% and more), mainly in northwestern, central, and southeastern Italy.

The average maximum VCI for the MPZ reached a value of 0.84 during this reporting period. About 93% of arable land was cropped, which was below average compared to the recent five-year average in the whole MPZ. The uncropped areas of arable land were mainly concentrated in Spain and a few pockets in almost all other countries of this MPZ. The VHI minimum map shows that relatively large areas of Spain, central and southern Germany, central and eastern France were affected by persistent drought conditions.

Overall, the conditions of crops in the MPZ were mostly average or close to average. The exception was Spain, where drought conditions severly limited crop production, resulting in poor conditions.

Figure 2.6. Western Europen MPZ: Agro-climatic and agronomic indicators, April to July 2023.

a. Spatial distribution of rainfall profiles    b. Profiles of rainfall departure from average (mm)

c. Spatial distribution of temperature profiles  d. Profiles of temperature departure from average (℃)

e. Maximum VCI

f. Cropped arable land

g. Biomass accumulation potential departure

h. VHI minimum