This monitoring period marks the late growth and harvesting period for wheat and the growing season for rice and maize in Türkiye. The proportion of annually irrigated agricultural land in Türkiye is 19.8%, and agrometeorological conditions play a significant role in crop growth. Agrometeorological conditions indicate a 13% decrease in rainfall compared to the 15-year average, while temperatures were 1.4°C above average. Photosynthetically active radiation (RADPAR) and potential biomass accumulation (BIOMSS) were on par with the 15-year average, suggesting that suitable temperature conditions and sunlight supported photosynthesis and biomass production.

The NDVI-based crop growth process line shows that NDVI values were essentially the same as the 5-year average during the monitoring period. An increase in the area of cropped arable land (19% above average) and a robust Vegetation Condition Index (VCI at 0.94) further highlight the favorable conditions for crop growth. Despite a reduction in rainfall in September, a recovery in October rainfall, coupled with suitable temperatures, created generally normal conditions.

Regional Analysis

Türkiye includes four agro-ecological regions: the Black Sea region (191), the Central Anatolia region (192), the Eastern Anatolia region (193) and the Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean regions (194).

In the Black Sea region (191), despite a 19% decrease in long-term average RAIN, an increase in TEMP (+0.5°C) and RADPAR (+8%) provided good conditions for crop growth. The NDVI-based crop growth development curve shows slightly below NDVI trends in August-September in this region. The region maintained a high Vegetation Condition Index (VCIx at 0.92), indicating favorable crop growth conditions with average yield.

The Central Anatolia region (192) was the only one which had above average precipitation (RAIN +3%). The NDVI-based crop growth and development curves showed that the NDVI values were higher than the 5-year average throughout the monitoring period, especially in July when the NDVI values were above the 5 year maximum, indicating that the crops were growing well. Both biomass (+7%) and cropped arable land fraction (+47%) were significantly higher than the average, with a VCIx reaching 1.09, indicating relatively favorable conditions.

The Eastern Anatolia region (193) faced a 40% decrease in precipitation compared to the long-term average. This resulted in a decrease in biomass, VCIx at 0.85 indicates that crop growth had been affected. However, a 22% increase in the cropped arable land fraction can somewhat compensate for the shortcomings in crop vigor. The NDVI-based crop growth and development curves showed NDVI values near the 5-year average throughout this monitoring period, indicating normal conditions.

In the regions of the Sea of Marmara, the Aegean, and the Mediterranean (194), although the precipitation was 6% below the long-term average, good temperature and sunlight conditions led to a 1% increase in potential biomass. Crop growth and development curves based on NDVI showed a slightly below average trend.  Slight increases in the cropped arable land fraction (+4%) and cropping intensity (+4%) were noted. With a VCIx of 0.83, the crop growth condition in the region is fair.

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

Table 3.1 Türkiye’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, July 2023 - October 2023

Table 3.2 Türkiye’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, July 2023 - October 2023