During the monitoring period, winter wheat reached maturity in April and was harvested in May and June. Rice and maize planting started in April. Total rainfall was 10 mm, 73% higher than the 15-year average (15YA). The rainfall index graph shows that most rainfall exceeded the 15YA during April, late May, and the first of June. The average temperature was 24.2 ℃, higher than the 15YA by 0.6 ℃. The temperature index graph shows that it fluctuated around 15YA during the monitoring period. RADPAR was below the 15YA by 3.4%, while the BIOMSS was higher than the 15YA by 17%. The nationwide NDVI development graph indicates that the crop conditions were close to the 5YA trend in April and subsequently remained below average, but reached close to average again by the end of July. The NDVI spatial pattern shows that 24.3% of the cultivated area was above the 5YA, 31.1% fluctuated around the 5YA, and 44.7% were below the 5YA. The CALF was higher than the 5-year average (5YA) by 1% and VCIx was at 0.77. Overall, the crop conditions were favorable. The nationwide crop production index (CPI) was at 1.09, implying an average to above-average crop production situation.

Regional Analysis

Based on crop planting systems, climate zones, and topographical conditions, Egypt can be divided into three agroecological zones (AEZs), two of which are suitable for crop cultivation: the Nile Delta and the southern coast of the Mediterranean (area identified as 60 in the crop condition clusters map) and the Nile Valley (61).

The Nile Delta and the southern coast of the Mediterranean: Rainfall was higher than the 15YA by 25 mm, and the temperature was above the 15YA by 0.5 ℃. The RADPAR was below the 15YA by 3.4%, while the BIOMSS was at the 15YA. The NDVI-based crop condition development graph shows similar conditions following the national crop development NDVI graph. The CALF was only 1% higher than the 5YA and the VCIx was 0.83. The crop production index (CPI) was at 1.12, implying an above normal crop production situation.

The Nile Valley: Rainfall was higher than the 15YA, and the temperature was above the 15YA only by 0.2 ℃. The RADPAR was below the 15YA by 3.6% and the BIOMSS was higher than the 15YA by 47%. The NDVI-based crop condition development graph shows similar conditions as the longterm trend. The CALF was lower than the 5YA by 1% and the VCIx was 0.76. The crop production index (CPI) was 1.04, implying a normal crop production situation.

Figure 3.14 Egypt's crop condition, April-July 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) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Nile Delta (left) and Nile Valley (right))

(g) Time series profile of rainfall (h) Time series profile of temperature

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

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