The reporting period includes the harvest of the 2023 maize and sugar beet crops and the sowing of the 2023-2024 winter wheat, which started in September. The agroclimatic indicators show that rainfall (+4%), TEMP (+2.0℃),  RADPAR (+7%) and BIOMSS (+5%) were higher than average. According to the nationwide NDVI profile, crop conditions were below average for most of the reporting period. This may be due to snow and cloud cover that caused low NDVI values in satellite images. Heavy rainfall was observed in November. According to the spatial pattern of NDVI, the west and southeast region marked with blue and deep green, had average to above average conditions. For some areas marked with yellow and red, there was a sharp drop of NDVI in December. The CPI of Romania was 0.62, the second lowest over the last six years. The maximum VCI was only 0.68, which was consistent with the CPI. The cropped arable land fraction (CALF, 66%) decreased by 19% compared to its 5YA. The dry conditions observed since summer may have delayed sowing and germination of winter cereals. All in all, the agroclimatic conditions for the important crop production regions of Romania were below average. However, the above average precipitation will cause favorable condition for the summer crops.

Regional analysis

More spatial detail is provided below for the three main agro-ecological zones: the Central mixed farming and pasture Carpathian hills (165), the Eastern and southern maize, wheat and sugar beet plains (166) and the Western and central maize, wheat and sugar beet plateau (167).

For the Central mixed farming and pasture Carpathian hills, compared to the 15YA, radiation (+5%), rainfall (+8%）air temperature (+1.8℃) and BIOMSS (+6%) all increased. According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions were below average due to relatively warm weather and snow cover. The regional average maximum VCI was at 0.82. Regional CALF was 93% (-3%). The NDVI spatial distribution shows that NDVI was fair throughout the reporting period (deep green).  The CPI of this region is 0.77. This zone occupies only a small fraction of cropland in Romania.

For the Eastern and Southern maize, wheat and sugar beet plains, rainfall decreased by 13%, temperature (2.4℃) and radiation (+12%) increased, biomass decreased by 1% as compared to the 15YA. The NDVI development graph shows that crop conditions were below average. Regional CALF was only 52% and 31% lower than average. Maximum VCI value of this region was 0.62 and according to the distribution map, VCI values were below 0.80 in the southeast area of this sub-region (counties of Tulcea and Constanta), representing about 14.3% of the national cropland. The CPI of this region is 0.54. All in all, crop conditions can be assessed as below average.

For the Western and central maize, wheat and sugar beet plateau, radiation (+1%), temperature (+1.5℃), rainfall (+27%) and biomass (+14%) were higher than average. Spatial NDVI profiles show that crop conditions were below average throughout the reporting period. Regional CALF was 92%, 1% lower than average. Maximum VCI of this region was 0.77, and the spatial distribution was below 0.8 in most of the areas. The CPI of this region is 0.80. Crop conditions can be assessed as unfavorable.

Figure 3.41 Romania's crop condition, October 2023 - January 2024

(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 (Central mixed farming and pasture Carpathian hills (left) and Eastern and southern maize, wheat and sugarbeet plains (right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Western and central maize, wheat and sugar beet plateau)

(j) CPI time series graph

Table 3.73 Romania’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, October 2023 - January 2024

Table 3.74 Romania’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, October 2023 - January 2024