During the period under review in Mauritius, new plantations of onion, pineapple and potato were started.  In the case of pineapple along with fresh plantations, harvest was ongoing in regions where the crop had been grown 9 to 12 months back.

In general, crop conditions in Mauritius during the past 3 months, were slightly above average, based on agro-climatic and agronomic indicators recorded. Thus, the season started with a strong departure of+206 mm in rainfall  compared to average figures for the last 15 and  it was slightly warmer by  0.5 ℃. The amount of sunshine received was equally higher with a mean RADPAR of  +1.0 MJ/m2. The bulletin of the Mauritius Meteorological Services for the month of May 2023 indicates that 2023 witnessed the wettest May recorded in the past 10 years with a long term mean of 197%. About two third of the heavy showers occurred during the first ten days and last ten days of the May 2023 compared to the mid-May where amount of rain received was less than that received last year during the same period. In the case of June 2023, even if the middle of the month was very wet with heavy showers exceeding the last 15 years average by over 100%, the rest of the month was deficient in rain. This resulted in a mean departure of -26% when compared to long term average for the month. As for July 2023, amount of rainfall recorded was more in line with the pattern normally recorded during this month of the year but was however less than the last 15 years maximum.

In conclusion, it can be said that although the period started under adverse climatic conditions, over the weeks agro climatic conditions and agronomic factors became more conducive for production for onion, potato and pineapple. Thus prospects for production of these crops in the next quarter are in general highly favourable, provided pests and disease management is conducted properly.

The adverse climatic conditions prevailing at the beginning of the season, resulted in a short delay in the potato and onion season. This resulted in a lower than normal NDVI. However, the warmer than usual Winter (average temperatures hilgher by 0.5 ℃) was favorable for crop growth.  Hence the maximum VCI of 0.89 recorded during the season promoted growth of onion, potato and pineapple plants and helped NDVI meet the season's average.

Figure XXX. Mauritius's crop condition, April-July 2023

(a) Phenology of major crops

(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

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

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

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