This monitoring period began in April and ended in July. Winter wheat reached maturity in July. The planting of summer crops started in April and was completed by mid-May.  

Germany experienced another rainfall deficit which was similar to last year. Total precipitation at the national level was below average (RAIN -10%). As shown in the time series rainfall profile for Germany, precipitation was significantly below-average from mid-May to mid-June. Abundant rain in July caused unfavorable conditions for harvest of the winter cereals. The average temperature (TEMP 13.8°C) and RADPAR (1196 MJ/m2) are the same as the average of the last 15 years. They were above average in June and early July.  The precipitation deficit resulted in a 7% decrease in BIOMSS from 15YA.

As shown in the crop condition development graph and the NDVI profiles at the national level, NDVI values were below the 5YA and last year's average, except in April, when they were above or close to average. These observations are confirmed by the clustered NDVI profiles: 83.5% of regional NDVI values were below average from April to early June. These observations are confirmed by lower VCI values shown in the maximum VCI map. These negative departures were due to below-average rainfall. Overall VCIx for Germany was 0.86. CALF during the reporting period was 100%.

Generally, the agronomic indicators show close to average conditions for most winter crops and below-average conditions for most summer crops in Germany. The crops are mainly rainfed crops in Germany, and irrigation rates are relatively low (7.2%). But average rainfall during the previous monitoring period had helped build up soil moisture content, thus limiting the negative impact of the rainfall deficit during this period on the winter crops. Nevertheless, production of the winter crops is estimated to be slightly below average. Frequent rainfall during the harvest period in July negatively impacted grain quality. 

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, six sub-national agro-ecological regions are adopted for Germany. They include: the Wheat Zone of Schleswig-Holstein and the Baltic coast (56), Mixed Wheat and Sugar beet Zone of the Northwest (57), Central Wheat Zone of Saxony and Thuringia (55), Sparse Crop Area of the East-German Lake and Heathland area (54), Western Sparse Crop Area of the Rhenish Massif (59) and the Bavarian Plateau (58). 

Schleswig-Holstein and the Baltic Coast are among the major winter wheat zones of Germany. Temperature was close to average in this region, except in June. Total precipitation was above average (RAIN +6%) and radiation was above average (RADPAR +3%). As a result, BIOMSS is expected to increase by 2% as compared to the average. As shown in the crop condition development graph (NDVI), the values were above average and last year's records until early May, when they dropped to below-average levels. The area has a high CALF (100%) as well as a favorable VCIx (0.88).

Wheat and sugar beets are the major crops in the Mixed Wheat and Sugar beet Zone of the Northwest. According to the CropWatch agroclimatic indicators, rainfall, temperatures and radiation were both higher than average (RAIN +1%; TEMP +0.1°C; RADPAR +2%). BIOMSS was same as average. As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the values were below average except in April when they were close to the average level. The area has a high CALF (100%) and crop conditions for the region are favorable according to the high VCIx (0.87).

Central Wheat Zone of Saxony and Thuringia is another major winter wheat zone. Rainfall and temperatures were both below average (RAIN -24%; TEMP -0.1°C), but RADPAR was same as average, which led to a decrease in BIOMSS by 13%. As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the values were above average until mid-May when they dropped to below-average levels. The area has a high CALF (100%) and the VCIx was 0.86 for this region.

Significantly below-average precipitation was recorded in the East-German Lake and Heathland Sparse Crop Area (RAIN -31%). Temperatures and radiation were both below average (TEMP -0.2°C; RADPAR -1%). As a result, BIOMSS is expected to decrease by 17% as compared to the average. As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the values were below average throughout the monitoring period except for April when they were above average. The area has a high CALF (100%) and the VCIx was 0.87 for this region.

Significantly below-average precipitation was also recorded in the Western Sparse Crop Area of the Rhenish Massif (RAIN -24%) with above-average temperature and solar radiation (TEMP +0.4°C; RADPAR +1%). The biomass potential (BIOMSS) decreased by 13% compared to the 15YA. As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the values were below average throughout the monitoring period except early April when they were above average. The CALF was 100% for the regions. The VCIx value was 0.86.

On average, a reduction in rainfall was recorded for the Bavarian Plateau (RAIN -10%), with below-average temperature (-0.2°C) and below-average radiation (RADPAR -2%). Compared to the fifteen-year average, BIOMSS decreased by 8%. As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the values were above average in April, and below average from mid- May to June. The area had a high CALF (100%) as well as a favorable VCIx (0.86).

Figure 3.13. Germany’s crop condition, April-July 2023

 (a) Phenology of major crops in Germany

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, comparing the April-July 2023 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum

(c) Maximum VCI for the April-July 2023 period

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns for Germany up to July 2023 according to local cropping patterns and as compared to the 5YA (left) and (e) associated NDVI profiles (right)

(f) Time series rainfall profile (left) and temperature profile (right) of Germany comparing the April-July 2023 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum

(g) Wheat zone of Schleswig-Holstein and the Baltic Coast crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall profiles (middle) and temperature (right)

(h) Mixed wheat and sugarbeets zone of the north-west crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall profiles (middle) and temperature (right)

(i) Central wheat zone of Saxony and Thuringia crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall profiles (middle) and temperature (right)

(j) East-German lake and Heathland sparse crop area crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall profile (middle) and  temperature (right)

(k) Western sparse crop area of the Rhenish massif crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall profile (middle) and temperature (right)

(l) Bavarian Plateau crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall profile (middle) and temperature (right)

Table 3.18. Germany agro-climatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April-July 2023

Table 3.19. Germany agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's value and departure from 5YA, April-July 2023