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FranceMain producing and exporting countries

Authors: 超级管理员 | Edit: tianfuyou

This monitoring period covers winter wheat and barley, which had reached maturity by July. The planting of maize and spring wheat was mostly completed in early May. The harvest of the summer crops, including sugarbeet, potatoes and sunflower starts in August and extends into October. CropWatch agro-climatic indicators show above-average temperature (TEMP +0.7°C) over the period. Temperatures had surpassed the 15-year average during several periods in early May and June to July. RADPAR was at the average. However slightly lower RAIN (-3%) as compared to the 15YA was recorded. Due to the relatively warm temperature and average sunshine conditions, the biomass production potential (BIOMSS) is estimated to have increased by 1% nationwide compared to the 15-year average. The national-scale NDVI development graph shows that the NDVI values were generally close but a bit lower than in the 2022-2023 season and the 5YA especially in June and July. The spatial distribution of maximum VCI (VCIx) across the country reached a range of 0.81-0.93. Overall, suitable temperature and sunshine but slightly dry conditions caused normal but slight below average growth conditions for the whole monitoring period in France.


Regional analysis

Considering cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, additional sub-national details are provided for eight agro-ecological zones. They are identified on the maps by the following numbers: (78) Northern barley region, (82) Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean, (79) Maize-barley and livestock zone along the English Channel, (80) Rapeseed zone of eastern France, (75) Massif Central dry zone, (81) Southwestern maize zone, (76) Eastern Alpes region and (77) the Mediterranean zone.

In the Northern barley region, TEMP and RAIN were both above average (+0.5°C and +3%, respectively), while RADPAR was below average (-1%). The BIOMSS increased by 1% when compared to the 15YA. The CALF was average, and VCIx was at 0.84. Crop condition development based on NDVI for this region was above and close to the 5-year average in April and mid-May, but then below the average in June and July.

In the Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean, a warmer (TEMP +0.8°C) and sunnier (RADPAR +1%) season was observed, with lower RAIN (-12%). For the crops, BIOMSS was 1% lower than average, CALF was at the average level and VCIx was relatively high at 0.92.  The regional NDVI profile also presented a close to average trend in April to mid-May but below average levels in June and July.

In the Maize-barley and livestock zone along the English Channel, TEMP was above average by 0.9°C and RADPAR was at the average level. RAIN was lower than average (-5%). BIOMSS was at the 15 years average level.  CALF was average and VCIx was relatively high at 0.93. The regional NDVI profile also presented an overall lower than average trend but close to average in April and May.

In the Rapeseed zone of eastern France, the NDVI profile also indicated a close to average trend in April and May but below-average conditions in June and July. Overall, RAIN in this period was 23% lower than the 15-year average, while TEMP increased by 0.6°C and RADPAR was at the average level. BIOMSS was about 9% lower than average as the drought condition, while CALF was at the average level, and VCIx was 0.88.

In the Massif Central dry zone, TEMP was 0.4°C higher than the average, while RAIN and RADPAR decreased by 7% and 1%. The VCIx was relatively high at 0.91. BIOMSS increased by 3% and CALF was at the average level, which indicated a close to average cropping season in the region.  Crop conditions based on the NDVI profile were also showing a close to average trend.

The Southwestern maize zone is one of the major irrigated regions in France. The regional NDVI profile also presented a close to average trend during the whole monitoring period except mid-April. TEMP and RAIN was 0.4°C and 13% higher than the average levels, but RADPAR was 1% lower than average. BIOMSS was 7% higher than average, while CALF showed no significant change. The VCIx was recorded at 0.92.

In the Eastern Alpes region, the NDVI profile presented a below-average trend. RAIN and RADPAR in the region were 1% and 2% lower than average, while TEMP was higher than average (+0.5°C). BIOMSS was at the 15-year average. CALF was at the average level, and VCIx for the region was recorded at 0.88, indicating overall below-average crop conditions. 

The Mediterranean zone also indicated an overall close to but a bit lower than 5 years average NDVI profile. The region recorded a relatively low VCIx (0.81). RAIN and TEMP were 8% and 1.5°C higher than average, while RADPAR was lower (-1%) than average. BIOMSS was increased by 5%, but CALF decreased by 2%. This region is showing close to average crop conditions and agricultural production situation.

 

Figure 3.5 France’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) Rainfall profiles                                                                  (g) Temperature profiles


(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Northern barley region (left) and Mixed maize, Barley and Rapeseed zone (right))


(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Maize, barley and livestock zone (left) and Rapeseed zone (right))


(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Dry Massif Central zone (left) and Southwest maize zone (right))


(k) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Eastern Alpes region (left) and Mediterranean zone (right))


Table 3.2 France’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA,  April - July 2023


RegionRAINTEMPRADPARBIOMSS

Current (mm)Departure (%)Current (°C)Departure (°C)Current (MJ/m2)Departure  (%)Current (gDM/m2)Departure (%)
Northern Barley zone318314.80.51171-18161
Mixed maize/barley and rapessed zone from   the Centre to the Atlantic Ocean291-1216.00.812391844-1
Maize barley and livestock zone along the   English Channel266-514.70.9118807650
Rapeseed zone of eastern France329-2314.90.612300824-9
Massif Central Dry zone401-714.40.41249-19653
Southwest maize zone4851315.80.41274-19907
Alpes region543-113.90.51298-29200
Mediterranean zone394816.61.51387-18425


Table 3.3 France’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, April-July 2023

RegionCropped arable   land fractionMaximum VCI

Current (%)Departure (%)Current
Northern Barley zone10000.84
Mixed maize/barley and rapessed zone from   the Centre to the Atlantic Ocean10000.92
Maize barley and livestock zone along the   English Channel10000.93
Rapeseed zone of eastern France10000.88
Massif Central Dry zone10000.91
Southwest maize zone10000.92
Alpes region9800.88
Mediterranean zone94-20.81