This monitoring period covers the harvest of winter wheat in July and August, closely followed by the harvest of spring wheat.  Maize harvest started in September.  The sowing of winter wheat started in October and will be completed in November. CropWatch agro-climatic indicators showed above-average temperatures over the period (TEMP +1.7°C). Temperatures surpassed the 15-year maximum during several periods except in late July and early August. RAIN was also higher than the average (RAIN +11%), especially in mid- and late October. Sunshine was at the average level. Due to favorable rainfall and the relatively warm temperature conditions, the biomass production potential (BIOMSS) is estimated to have increased by 5% nationwide compared to the 15-year average. Cropping intensity was above average by 2%. The national-scale NDVI development graph shows that the NDVI values were close to the trend of the 5-year average but below average in early July and early September. The spatial distribution of maximum VCI (VCIx) across the country reached 0.83. CALF was at the average level. Overall, above average rainfall and warmer temperatures during the summer season caused favorable growth conditions for most France's agricultural regions.

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: (75) Massif Central dry zone, (76) Eastern Alpes region, (77) the Mediterranean zone, (78) Northern barley region, (79) Maize-barley and livestock zone along the English Channel, (80) Rapeseed zone of eastern France, (81) Southwestern maize zone, and (82) Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean.

In the Massif Central dry zone, TEMP and RAIN were 1.7°C and 3% higher than the average, respectively, while RADPAR was at the average level. CALF was at the average level. Cropping intensity decreased by 7%. The VCIx was at 0.82, and BIOMSS slightly decreased by 1%. Crop conditions of this region, based on the NDVI profile, were close to the average trend in July and August but dropped to below-average levels in September and October.

In the Eastern Alpes region, the NDVI profile presented a close to average and then below average trend. RAIN in the region was at the average level, while TEMP was higher than average (+1.9°C) and RADPAR was 3% higher than the 15YA. BIOMSS was also at the 15-year average. Cropping intensity was 4% lower than average. VCIx for the region was recorded at 0.82 and CALF was at the average level.

The Mediterranean zone indicated an overall below-average NDVI profile. The region recorded a relatively low VCIx (0.78). RADPAR (+1%) and TEMP (+2.4°C) were above average, while RAIN was significantly lower than average (-18%). Cropping intensity decreased by 1%. BIOMSS decreased by 7% and CALF decreased by 3%.

In the Northern barley region, warm (TEMP +1.4°C) and wet (RAIN +33%) weather was observed while sunshine was slightly below average (RADPAR -1%) over the monitoring period. The BIOMSS increased by 17% when compared to the 15-year average. The CALF was at the average level, and VCIx was relatively low at 0.8. Cropping intensity decreased by 8%. Crop condition development based on NDVI for this region was below the 5-year average in July, then above average in August and September, and lastly dropped below average level in October.

In the Maize-barley and livestock zone along the English Channel, TEMP and RAIN were above average by 1.4°C and 26%. RADPAR was lower than the average (-2%). BIOMSS increased by 15%. Cropping intensity decreased by 2%. CALF was average and VCIx was relatively high, at 0.88. The regional NDVI profile presented an overall close to the average trend, but was below average levels in early July and in October.

In the Rapeseed zone of eastern France, the NDVI profile showed great fluctuation during the monitoring period. It was below average in July, and then above average in August and September, finally back to below average in October. Overall, RAIN in this period was 8% higher than the 15-year average, while TEMP increased by 1.7°C and RADPAR was at average level. BIOMSS was about 3% higher than average, while CALF was at the average level, and VCIx was 0.85. Cropping intensity was higher than the average level by 6%.

The Southwestern maize zone is one of the major irrigated regions in France. The regional NDVI profile presented a close to but below-average trend during the whole monitoring period except a big drop at the end of August. The VCIx was 0.84. BIOMSS was 3% higher than average. CALF was at the average level. Cropping intensity was above the average by 9%. RAIN in the period was above average (RAIN +5%), while TEMP was 1.4°C higher than average, and RADPAR was at the average level.

In the Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean, muggy (TEMP +1.8°C, RAIN +35%) and overcast weather (RADPAR -2%) was observed during the monitoring period. BIOMSS was above the average level by 13%, the NDVI profile showed the regional crop conditions were close to and above average levels except in early July, when it was below the average. Cropping intensity was higher than the average level by 10%. The CALF was at the average level, and VCIx was 0.82.

Figure 3.5 France’s crop condition, July - October 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, July - October 2023

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