This monitoring period covers the harvest of maize as well as sowing and the early growth period of winter wheat. CropWatch agro-climatic 

indicators show that the temperatures were above the average over most of the monitoring period (TEMP +1.3°C).  RAIN was 25% over average, and sunshine (RADPAR) was 2% above. Due to favorable temperature and sunshine conditions, the biomass production potential (BIOMSS) is estimated to have increased by 8% nationwide compared to the 15-year average. The national-scale NDVI development graph shows that the NDVI values were overall below the 5-year average. The sharp drops in NDVI were most likely due to cloud cover, fog, or snow on the ground. The spatial distribution of maximum VCI (VCIx) across the country reached a range of 0.77-0.87. Rainfall was unevenly distriburted within the country. The north suffered from excessive rainfall, causing waterlogging in some fields. It also prevented some farmers from sowing the winter cereals in a timely manner. For the south, to the contrary, a rainfall deficit was noticed. The Crop Production Index(CPI) was 0.91, which indicates a slightly below average crop production situation. 

 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: (78) Northern barley region, (82) Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone 

from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean, (79) Maize-barley and livestock zone along the English Channel, (80) Rapeseed zone of eastern 

France, (75) Massif Central dry zone, (81) Southwestern maize zone, (76) Eastern Alps region, and (77) the Mediterranean zone.

In the Northern barley region (78), the observed weather conditions showed warmer temperatures (TEMP +1°C), above-average RADPAR 

(+3%), and above-average rainfall (RAIN +30%). The potential biomass (BIOMSS) increased by 9% compared to the 15-year average. The

 cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was equal to the average, the Vegetation Condition Index (VCIx) was recorded at 0.83, and the Crop 

Production Index(CPI) was 0.95. The crop condition development, based on NDVI, was below the 5-year average for most of the monitoring 

period, especially in December and January.

In the Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean(82), the observed conditions included warmer 

temperatures (TEMP +1.2°C), above-average rainfall (RAIN +38%), and above-average RADPAR (+2%). Potential biomass (BIOMSS) was above 

average by 13%, and the overall NDVI profile showed that regional crop conditions lower than average levels. The cropped arable land fraction

 (CALF) increased by 1%, VCIx was relatively high at 0.8 and CPI was 0.92.

In the Maize-barley and livestock zone along the English Channel (79), RADPAR and TEMP were above average by 6% and 0.8°C, respectively.

 Rainfall (RAIN) was also higher than the average (+19%). Potential biomass (BIOMSS) increased by 9%. CALF was average, VCIx was recorded at

 0.82 and CPI was 0.88. The NDVI profile showed regional crop conditions lower than average levels, especially in December and January.

In the Rapeseed zone of eastern France(80), rainfall (RAIN) during this monitoring period was 42% higher than the 15-year average, with

 temperatures (TEMP) increased by 1.1°C, and RADPAR decreased by 2%. BIOMSS was about 9% higher than average, with a high VCIx level (0.8

4). CALF was average and CPI was 0.92. The NDVI profile showed regional crop conditions lower than average levels, especially in November, 

December and January.

In the Massif Central dry zone (75), temperatures (TEMP) and rainfall (RAIN) were 1.0°C and 37% higher than the average, respectively, while 

RADPAR decreased by 2%. The Vegetation Condition Index (VCIx) was 0.87, and potential biomass (BIOMSS) increased by 7%. The cropped 

arable land fraction (CALF) was average and CPI was 0.93. Crop conditions based on the NDVI profile indicated that growth conditions were 

below average.

The Southwestern maize zone (81) is one of the major irrigated regions in France. The regional NDVI profile showed a below-average trend, but 

it was close to the average in October. The VCIx recorded moderate levels (0.85), and potential biomass (BIOMSS) was 9% higher than average.

 Rainfall (RAIN) in the period was 17% higher than average. TEMP was 1.0°C higher, while RADPAR increased by 1%. CALF was average and CPI

 was 0.89.

In the Eastern Alps region (76), crop conditions exhibited a significantly below-average trend except in October. Photosynthetically 

Active Radiation (RADPAR) and temperatures (TEMP) in the region were 4% and 1.5°C higher than the average, respectively, with rainfall (RAIN)

 was 26% higher than average. Potential biomass (BIOMSS) was also higher than the 15-year average (+9%). The Vegetation Condition Index 

(VCIx) for the region was recorded at 0.86. The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was average and CPI was 0.91.

In the Mediterranean zone(77), the NDVI recorded a below-average trend. The region registered a relatively low VCIx level (0.77). RADPAR and 

temperatures (TEMP) were above average (8% and +2.6°C, respectively), while rainfall (RAIN) was significantly lower than average by 27%. The

 cropped arable land fraction (CALF) also decreased by 3% and CPI was 0.81. Potential biomass (BIOMSS) was below average by 7%.

  Figure 3.17 France’s crop condition, October 2023 - January 2024