During this reporting period, winter wheat was harvested in June and July. Summer crops, especially maize, rice, sunflower, and soybeans, were planted in April and early May. According to the NDVI development graph, NDVI values were near average in the entire monitoring period. At the national level, temperature (TEMP +0.3 ºC) was above average. The solar radiation (RADPAR -4%) was below the 15YA. Rainfall was above average (RAIN +33%), which resulted in above-average biomass (BIOMSS +15%). CALF was 99%, and VCIx was 0.90. 

Except for a few areas in the northern part of the country (Piemonte, Lombardia, and Lazio), the VCIx was above 0.80 for most of the cultivated land. The Crop Production Index (CPI) was 1.07, which means the agricultural production situation was close to average. The proportion of irrigated cropland in Italy is 39.7%. In summary, the unusual precipitation has resulted in localized below-average crop conditions, but the high rainfall helped restore groundwater levels. Crop conditions are expected to be close to average.

About 20.8% of the crops, mainly located in the Po Valley (mainly in Piemonte, Lombardia, and Veneto), showed a positive departure from the 5YA in the whole reporting period. For about 9.7% of the crops, crop conditions were above average in April and the first half of May, and below average between mid May and July. For about 24.7% of the crops, crop conditions were above average in April and May, but below average in June and July, mainly in Piemonte, Lombardia, and Veneto. For about 31.1% of the crops, crop conditions were below average in April and May, but above average in June and July, mainly in Puglia, Marche, and Abruzzi. About 13.7% of the crops experienced below-average crop conditions, scattered in Puglia, mainly in Sassari, Cagliari, Caltanissetta, and Agrigento.  

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, four sub-national zones can be distinguished for Italy. These four regions are East Coast (108), Po Valley (105), Islands (107), and Western Italy (106).

East coast (108) (mainly in Puglia, Marche, and Abruzzi) experienced below-average temperature (TEMP -0.3°C), and solar radiation (RADPAR -5%). Due to heavy rainfall in mid- to early May and mid- to early June, RAIN  (+74%) was far above average. The potential production showed an increase (BIOMSS +20%) mainly due to the higher rainfall. VCIx was 0.92. CALF was 99%. The CPI was 1.10. The crop condition development graph indicates that NDVI was average in the entire monitoring period. Good precipitation has been effective in mitigating the drought and crop conditions are expected to be close to average.

Crop production in the Po Valley (105) (mainly in Piemonte, Lombardia, and Veneto) was affected by above rainfall (RAIN +18%) and temperature (TEMP +0.5°C) and below-average solar radiation (RADPAR -4%). BIOMSS was above the 15YA by 9% and VCIx reached 0.87. CALF was 100%. The CPI was 1.04, which indicates that the agricultural production situation was near average. The crop condition development graph indicates above-average between April and mid May and below-average conditions between late May and July. According to the agro-climatic indicators, a near-average output can be expected.

The Islands (107) recorded above-average temperature (TEMP +0.3°C) and below-average RADPAR (RADPAR -6%). BIOMSS increased by 22% compared with the 15YA. Rainfall was significantly higher than average (RAIN +94%) due to heavy rainfall from May to mid-June. VCIx was 0.92. CALF was 98%. The CPI was 1.12. NDVI was below average in April and May, and above average in June and July. Good precipitation has been effective in mitigating the drought, and crop conditions are expected to be close to average.

In Western Italy (106), RAIN (RAIN +48%) and TEMP (TEMP +0.2°C) were above average. The solar radiation (RADPAR -4%) was below average. There was a 17% increase in biomass in the area, which was mainly due to higher rainfall in April and May. VCIx reached 0.92. CALF was 100%. The CPI was 1.08. According to the NDVI development graph, NDVI values were near average in the entire monitoring period. Crop conditions are expected to be close to average.

Figure 3.22 Italy's crop condition, April-July 2023

(a). Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, RAIN and TEMP

(c) Maximum VCI

(d) Spatial distribution of NDVI profiles

(e) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, RAIN and TEMP (West Italy)

(f) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, RAIN and TEMP (Po Valley)

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, RAIN and TEMP (Islands)

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, RAIN and TEMP (East Italy)

Table 3.35 Italy's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April-July 2023

Table 3.36 Italy's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA,  April-July 2023