From January to April 2024, the period covers the vegetative growth of winter wheat, whereas spring wheat in the coastal regions reached the flowering stage in April. The planting period of summer crops started in April.  The proportion of annually irrigated agricultural land in Türkiye is 19.8%, and agrometeorological conditions play a significant role in crop growth. The average rainfall during this period was 317 mm, which is 17% lower than the 15-year average. The deficit was strongest in April, indicating below-average water availability for crop germination and early development of summer crops. The average temperature was 6.7°C, which was 2.6°C higher than the 15-year average. The Photosynthetically Active Radiation (RADPAR) was slightly above average at 849 MJ/m². The potential for biomass accumulation was 552 g of dry matter per square meter, which is 6% above the 15-year average level, indicating slightly above average potential for crops. Compared to the 5-year average, the proportion of cultivated land had increased by 12%, indicating an expansion of agricultural activities. The maximum Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) was 0.90, close to optimal; the Crop Production Index (CPI) was 1.23, above the baseline, indicating good agricultural production conditions.

The maximum VCI graphs show relatively high VCIs in the Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean regions, Eastern Anatolia and Eastern Central Anatolia regions, indicating good crop growth. In contrast, the lower VCI in the west-central Central Anatolia region indicates poor crop growth. In January, Türkiye experienced high precipitation due to a combination of a Mediterranean low pressure zone and cold air moving southward from the Arctic region. The snowpack affected the NDVI values, resulting in low readings. So far,   weather conditions for crop production have been favorable for Türkiye in 2024.

Regional Analysis

Türkiye includes four agro-ecological regions: the Black Sea region (191), the Central Anatolia region (192), the Eastern Anatolia region (193) and the Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean regions (194).

In the Black Sea region, the rainfall reached 336 millimeters, which is 24% lower than the 15-year average. The average temperature slightly increased by 1.7°C to 3.9°C, and the photosynthetically active radiation increased by 7% to 762 MJ/m². The potential biomass was 489 g DM/m², which is 4% higher than the 15-year average. The Cropland Area Fraction (CALF) is 79%, 5% higher than the 5-year average. The maximum Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) is 0.96, and the Crop Production Situation Index (CPI) is 1.23. The crop growth in this region is generally favorable, with higher-than-average temperature and radiation supporting the biomass accumulation despite the lower rainfall.

In Central Anatolia region, the rainfall reached 251 millimeters, which is 18% lower than the 15-year average. The average temperature increased by 2.8°C to 5.9°C, and the photosynthetically active radiation increased by 4% to 850 MJ/m². The potential biomass was 511 g DM/m², which is 7% higher than the 15-year average. The CALF is 50%, 22% higher than the 5-year average. The maximum VCI is 0.93, and the CPI is 1.42. Favorable temperatures and increased radiation levels have offset the lower-than-average rainfall, leading to good biomass accumulation and an expansion of cultivated land. But more rainfall is required in the subsequent months to ensure average production levels for the  non-irrigated crops.

In the Eastern Anatolia region, the rainfall reached 419 millimeters, which is 4% lower than the 15-year average. The average temperature increased by 2.5°C to 2.9°C, and the photosynthetically active radiation increased by 4% to 858 MJ/m². The potential biomass was 496 g DM/m², which is 21% higher than the 15-year average. The CALF is 44%, 16% higher than the 5-year average. The maximum VCI is 0.80, and the CPI is 1.24. The region experienced adequate rainfall and higher temperatures, leading to significant biomass accumulation. Crop production conditions are good.

In the Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean regions, the rainfall reached 309 millimeters, which is 24% lower than the 15-year average. The average temperature increased by 2.8°C to 10.2°C, and the photosynthetically active radiation increased by 5% to 870 MJ/m². The potential biomass was 636 g DM/m², which is 2% higher than the 15-year average. The CALF is 80%, 6% higher than the 5-year average. The maximum VCI is 0.91, and the CPI is 1.12. Despite lower-than-average rainfall, higher temperatures and radiation levels have supported biomass accumulation and crop growth, with a slight increase in cultivated land.

Türkiye’s crop condition, January 2024 – April 2024

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

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