This report covers the primary growing season of winter wheat and the sowing of maize and rice. The CropWatch agro-climatic indicators show that the recorded rainfall was 32 mm, 37% less than the average of the last 15 years (15YA). The rainfall index graph shows that most rainfall that exceeded 10 mm fell during the end of January. The average temperature was 16.2°C, 0.7°C more than the 15YA. The temperature index graph fluctuated around the 15YA. RADPAR was higher than the 15YA by 3% while BIOMSS was lower than the 15YA by 11%. Generally, the nationwide NDVI development graph shows that the crop conditions were below the 5-year average (5YA). The NDVI profile map indicates that 12.6% of the cultivated area was above the 5YA, 53.3% fluctuated around the 5YA, and 34% was below the 5YA. The country's VCIx value was at 0.72, while the CALF was at 5YA, implying that the cropped area was near average. The nationwide crop production index (CPI) was at 0.92. However, all crops are irrigated and the NDVI trend indicates below, but close to average crop conditions.

Regional Analysis

Based on crop planting systems, climate zones, and topographical conditions, Egypt can be divided into three agroecological zones (AEZs), two of which are suitable for crop cultivation. These are the Nile Delta and the southern coast of the Mediterranean (area identified as 60 in the crop condition clusters map) and the Nile Valley (61).

The Nile Delta and the southern coast of the Mediterranean (zone 60): The average rainfall was 37 mm (28% below the 15YA) while the temperature was at 16.2°C (0.7°C higher than the 15YA). RADPAR was higher than the 15YA by 2% while BIOMSS was lower than the 15YA by 11%. The NDVI development graph followed the nationwide NDVI profile. CALF was at 5YA and the VCIx value was at 0.72, implying that the crop conditions were average. The CPI was at 0.91, confirming a below-normal crop production situation.

The Nile Valley (zone 61): The average rainfall was only 3 mm (28% below the 15YA) while the temperature was at 16.6°C which is higher than the 15YA by 0.4°C. RADPAR was higher than the 15YA by 3% while BIOMSS was lower than the 15YA by 12%.  The NDVI development graph followed the nationwide NDVI profile. CALF was above the 5YA by only 1% and the VCIx value was at 0.82, implying that the crop conditions were average. The CPI was at 0.93.

14 Egypt's crop condition, January-April 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). Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Nile Delta (left) and Nile Valley (right))

(g). Time series profile of rainfall （h). Time series profile of temperature

Table 3.19 Egypt's agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values, and departure from 15YA, January-April 2024

Table 3.20 Egypt's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values, and departure from 5YA, January-April 2024