During the reporting period, weather conditions were generally favorable for growth and harvesting of spring crops. The CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that rainfall (RAIN) was well above average (+56%), temperature (TEMP) below (-0.8°C), and radiation (RADPAR) slightly below (-2%). BIOMSS is expected to increase by 34% compared to the five-year average.

Spatial NDVI patterns and profiles show that in August crop condition was below the five-year average in 30.5% of the agricultural areas and above average in other areas. Spatial NDVI patterns and profiles show that in August crop condition was below the five-year average in 30.5% of the agricultural areas. It was significantly above average, locally very significantly (up to 0.2 NDVI units) in all other areas due to the abundant rainfall . Since then NDVI departures from average decreased continuously, returning to average conditions at the end of October. This created favorable conditions for farm operations and winter crops emergence and early tillering. The national average of the VCIx (1.00) was above average conditions, and the arable land fraction increased by 23% compared to its five-year average.

The most favorable conditions of crops occurred in northern areas (northeast of Kustanayskaya, Severo-kazachstanskaya and the north of Pavlodarskaya oblasts) as well as in the east of kazakhstan (Vostochno-kazachstanskaya oblast). The agroclimatic indicators show favorable condition in the northern part, with a 36% increase of rainfall and a 24% increase of biomass compared with the fifteen-year average.

According to the crop condition development graph, overall crop condition was average from the end of August. Thanks to precipitation well-distributed in time (with a drier than usual August and close to average September) the output of summer crops is bound to increase. In 2016, wheat production is expected to amount to 18.2 million tons, increased by 14% from the previous year.

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI   

(b) Maximum VCI

(c) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA and the coresponding NDVI departure profiles