This report covers the growing period of winter wheat, as well as the sowing of spring wheat and maize in France. CropWatch agro-climatic indicators show that the temperatures were above the average over most of the monitoring period (TEMP +1.5°C), but were below the average in January. RAIN was 7% above average and sunshine (RADPAR) was -6% below. Due to favorable temperature and rainfall conditions, the biomass production potential (BIOMSS) is estimated to have increased by 12% nationwide compared to the 15-year average. The national-scale NDVI development graph shows that the NDVI values were overall equal to the 5-year average except in January and early February. The low NDVI values in January and February were probably due to the heavy rainfall in October and November 2023, which delayed or in some cases even prevented planting of the winter crops (cereals and canola). Moreover, cloud cover in the satellite images or fog may also have caused low NDVI values. But as agroclimatic conditions returned to normal, crops were able to compensate. The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) departure value was equal to the average. The spatial distribution of maximum VCI (VCIx) across the country reached 0.88, indicating good crop condition at the same phenological period as the last five years. The Crop Production Index (CPI) was 1.00, which means average crop production situation for the spatial unit in the current period. Farmers were able to timely plant the summer crops and overall crop conditions improved to normal. 

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 included warmer temperatures (TEMP +1.5°C), below-average RADPAR (-17%), and above-average rainfall (RAIN +29%). The potential biomass (BIOMSS) increased by 14% 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 0.86, and the Crop Production Index (CPI) was 0.96. The crop condition development based on NDVI, was equal to the 5-year average for most of the monitoring period, except in January and early February.

In the Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean(82), the observed conditions included warmer temperatures (TEMP +1.4°C), above-average rainfall (RAIN +17%), and below-average RADPAR (-9%). Potential biomass (BIOMSS) was above average by 16%, and the overall NDVI profile showed regional crop conditions equal to the 5-year average for most of the monitoring period, except  for January and February. The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was equal to the average, VCIx was relatively high at 0.89 and CPI was 0.99.

In the Maize-barley and livestock zone along the English Channel(79), RADPAR was below average by 15% and TEMP was above average by 1.2°C. Rainfall (RAIN) was also higher than the average (+15%). Potential biomass (BIOMSS) increased by 15%. CALF was average, VCIx was recorded at 0.92 and CPI was 0.99. The NDVI profile showed regional crop conditions equal to the 5-year average for most of the monitoring period, except for January and February.

In the Rapeseed zone of eastern France(80), rainfall (RAIN) during this monitoring period was 11% higher than the 15-year average, with temperatures (TEMP) increased by 1.5°C, and RADPAR decreased by 10%. BIOMSS was about 12% higher than average, with a high VCIx level (0.9). CALF was average and CPI was 1.00. The NDVI profile showed regional crop conditions equal to the 5-year average for most of the monitoring period, except for January and early February.

In the Massif Central dry zone (75), temperatures (TEMP) and rainfall (RAIN) were 1.3°C and 11% higher than the average, respectively, while RADPAP decreased by 5%. The Vegetation Condition Index (VCIx) was 0.93, and potential biomass (BIOMSS) increased by 10%. The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was average and CPI was 1.07. Crop conditions based on the NDVI profile indicated that growth conditions were equal to the 5-year average for most of the monitoring period, except for January and early February.

The Southwestern maize zone (81) is one of the major irrigated regions in France. The regional NDVI profile showed a equal-average trend except January and early February. The VCIx recorded moderate levels (0.89), and potential biomass (BIOMSS) was 8% higher than average. Rainfall (RAIN) in the period was 13% lower than average. TEMP was 1.2°C higher, while RADPAR increased by 1%. CALF was average and CPI was 1.04.

In the Eastern Alps region(76), crop conditions exhibited a below-average trend except in late March and early April. Photosynthetically active solar radiation (RADPAR) was 1% lower than the average, and temperatures (TEMP) was 1.8°C higher than the average, while rainfall (RAIN) was 3% higher than average. Potential biomass (BIOMSS) was also higher than the 15-year average (+14%). The Vegetation Condition Index (VCIx) for the region was recorded at 0.82. The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was average and CPI was 1.02.

In the Mediterranean zone(77), the NDVI was near the average trend except in January and early February. RADPAR was above average(2%) and temperatures (TEMP) was above average (+2.8°C), while rainfall (RAIN) was slightly higher than average by 1%. Potential biomass (BIOMSS) was above average by 11%. The region registered a high VCIx level (0.83). The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was equal to the average and CPI was 1.11. 

1 France’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, January 2024 – April 2024

2 France’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, January 2024 – April 2024