During this reporting period, winter wheat was harvested in June and July. According to the crop condition development graph, NDVI values were above average from April to Mid May, below average in late May, above average in early June and Mid June, and lower than the 5YA in late June and July. Temperature was below average (TEMP -0.6°C) and solar radiation was below average (RADPAR -3%) as compared to the 15YA. The drought situation in Hungary was effectively alleviated during the current monitoring period. The overall rainfall was above average (RAIN +26%), mainly due to the fact that the precipitation was much higher than average in Mid May, early June, late June, and late July. Biomass was above average compared to the 15YA (BIOMSS +10%). The Crop Production Index was 1.12. The proportion of irrigated cropland in Hungary is only 4.3% and rainfall is the predominant factor limiting crop growth. The national CALF was 100%. Meanwhile, precipitation was abundant during the monitoring period and crop conditions are expected to be above average.

The national average VCIx was 0.93. The NDVI departure cluster profiles indicate that: (1) 25.9% of arable land experienced positive crop conditions during the monitoring period, mainly distributed in Eastern Hungary. (2) 13.1% of arable land experienced above-average crop conditions from April to Mid June, mainly distributed in Eastern Hungary. (3) 21.3% of arable land experienced favorable crop conditions in April and May, mainly distributed in Western Hungary and central Hungary. (4) 31.2% of arable land experienced slightly above-average crop conditions in April, below average from May to mid-June, and above average from late June to July, mainly distributed in Western Hungary and Central Hungary. (5) 8.4% of arable land experienced below-average crop conditions between April and mid-June, above average from late June to July, mainly distributed in Western Hungary.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, four sub-national regions are described below: Northern Hungary (88), Central Hungary (87), the Great Plain (Puszta) (86) and Transdanubia (89). During this reporting period, CALF was 100% for all four subregions.

Central Hungary (87) is one of the major agricultural regions in terms of crop production. A sizable share of winter wheat is planted in this region. According to the NDVI development graphs, NDVI values were above average from April to Mid May, below average in late May, above average in early June and Mid June, and lower than the 5YA in late June and July. Temperature and radiation were below average (TEMP -0.4°C and RADPAR -3%, respectively). Potential biomass was above average compared to the 15YA (BIOMSS +7%), mainly due to above-average (RAIN +18%) rainfall. The VCIx was 0.93. The CPI was 1.14. The crop conditions in this region were above average.

The Puszta (86) (The Great Plain) region mainly grows winter wheat, maize, and sunflower, especially in the counties of Jaz-Nagykum-Szolnok and Bekes. According to the NDVI development graphs, NDVI values were above average from April to Mid May, on par with average in late May, above average in early June and Mid June, and below average in late June and July. Temperature and radiation were below average (TEMP -0.6°C and RADPAR -2%). Potential biomass was above average compared to the 15YA (BIOMSS +5%), mainly due to above-average (RAIN +10%) rainfall. The VCIx was 0.94. The CPI was 1.11. The crop conditions in this region were above average.

Northern Hungary (88) is another important winter wheat region. According to the NDVI development graphs, NDVI values were above average from April to Mid May, below average in late May, above average in early June and Mid June, and below average in late June and July. Rainfall, temperature, and radiation were below average (RAIN -4%, TEMP -0.3°C and RADPAR -2%, respectively), which resulted in a below-average potential biomass (BIOMSS -3%) compared to the 15YA. The VCIx was 0.97. The CPI was 1.16. The crop conditions in this region were above  average.

Southern Transdanubia (89) cultivates winter wheat, maize, and sunflower, mostly in Somogy and Tolna counties. According to the NDVI development graphs, NDVI values were above average from April to mid-May, and below average between late May and July. Temperature and radiation were below average (TEMP -0.9°C and RADPAR -5% respectively). Biomass was above average compared to the 15YA (BIOMSS +21%). The maximum VCI was favorable at 0.91. The CPI was 1.10. Due to the heavy rain in Mid May, early June, late June, and late July, rainfall (RAIN +61%) was above average. The unusual precipitation has resulted in localized below-average crop conditions, but overall this has been effective in mitigating the drought and crop conditions are expected to be above average.

Figure.3.18 Hungary's crop condition, April-July 2023

(a). Phenology of major crops

(b) Maximum VCI

(c) Spatial distribution of NDVI profiles

(d) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile

(e) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile (Central Hungary)

(f) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile (The Greatplain)

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile (North Hungary)

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile (Southern Transdanubia)

Table 3.27 Hungary's agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April - July 2023

Table 3.28 Hungary's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, April - July  2023