The report covers the planting and establishment of winter wheat in southwest China although this region is not a major producer of wheat in China.

During the monitoring period, agroclimatic indicators showed that the rainfall in this region was 311 mm, which is 15% higher than the 15-year average, and the temperature was 9.1°C, which is 1.3°C higher than the 15-year average. Solar radiation was close to the average of the previous years. The biomass, which benefited from good hydro-thermal conditions, was 14% higher than the 15-year average. The Vegetation Condition Index (VCIx) in the area was 0.92, indicating favorable conditions for crop growth.
The potential biomass map shows that only a small area in the south and northwest of the region had lower potential biomass than previous years. The VCIx and the biomass in the main growing area of winter wheat in Sichuan also indicate favorable conditions for crop growth, with a VCIx greater than 0.8 for most of the region.  The region's CPI was 0.97, indicating that the region's crop production situation is similar to the average of previous years. 

Overall, crop growth in the region was at average conditions.

Figure 4.13 Crop condition China Southwest region, October 2023 - January 2024

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI     (c) NDVI profiles

(d) Maximum VCI

(e) Potential biomass departure from 15YA

(f) Time series rainfall profile

(g) Time series temperature profile