Chapter 2 presents the same indicators—RAIN, TEMP, RADPAR, and BIOMSS— as those used in Chapter 1, and combines them with the agronomic indicators—cropped arable land fraction (CALF), maximum vegetation condition index (VCIx), and minimum vegetation health index (VHIn)— to describe crop condition in six Major Production Zones (MPZ) across all continents. For more information about these zones and methodologies used, see the quick reference guide in Annex B as well as the CropWatch bulletin online resources at http://www.cropwatch.com.cn/htm/en/bullAction!showBulletin.action#.

2.1 Overview

Tables 2.1 and 2.2 present an overview of the agroclimatic (Table 2.1) and agronomic (Table 2.2) indicators for each of the six MPZs, comparing the indicators to their fifteen and five-year averages, respectively. The text mostly refers simply to "average" with the averaging period implied.

Table 2.1 Agroclimatic indicators by Major Production Zone, current value and departure from 15YA (April-July 2024)

Note: Departures are expressed in relative terms (percentage) for all variables, except for temperature, for which absolute departure in degrees Celsius is given. Zero means no change from the average value; relative departures are calculated as (C-R)/R*100, with C=current value and R=reference value, which is the fifteen-year average (15YA) for the same period (April to July) for 2009-2023.

Table2.2 Agronomic indicators by Major Production Zone, current season values and departure from 5YA (April-July 2024)

Note: See note for Table 2.1, with reference value R defined as the five-year average (5YA) for the same period (April to July) for 2019-2023.

Figure 2.1 Spatial distribution of CPI in six major production zones (MPZs) worldwide

West Africa's CPI is 0.93, and the crop production situation was slightly unfavorable due to the late onset of the rainy season. Precipitation decreased by 8%, temperatures were higher by 1.0°C, and biomass decreased by 5%. CALF was below average by 2%, VCIx was 0.83, and crop growth was affected by drought. So far, the crop production prospects for this rainy season are assessed as below average.

North America's CPI value is 0.99, indicating a normal agricultural production situation. Due to the abundant rainfall and warm temperature, biomass increased by 5%. CALF was 95%, indicating high cropland utilization. Crop conditions and yield expectations are above average. 

South America's CPI is 1.00, indicating a normal level of agricultural production. Although precipitation in this region is significantly lower, crop conditions are fair. Yields of the harvested summer crops are expected to be close to average and wheat is the main crop that was sown during this period.

South and Southeast Asia's CPI is 0.88.  Southeast Asia was affected by a rainfall deficit. CALF was slightly lower than avearge, and VCIx was the lowest in all MPZs. The agricultural production outlook is not favorable for the southeast, but average for the other parts of this MPZ.

Western Europe's CPI is 1.00, with overall crop growth conditions close to average.  Due to the above average precipitation (RAIN +19%), the biomass incereased by 7%. The CALF was 96% and VCIx was close to 0.9. The agricultural production outlook is favorable.

Central Europe and western Russia's CPI is 0.94. The southeast had a rainfall deficit, negatively impacting production of wheat and soybean. Neverthelss, this MPZ has normal CALF and VCIx. The agricultural production outlook is mixed: more favorable in the central and northern regions, but below average in the southeast.