During this reporting period, winter wheat was harvested in June and July. According to the crop condition development graph, NDVI values were above average in April and slightly below average from May to July.

The proportion of irrigated cropland in Hungary is only 4% and agro-meteorological conditions play a decisive role in the growth of most crops. The overall precipitation (ΔRAIN -36%) was below average. Temperatures (ΔTEMP +2.3°C) and solar radiation (ΔRADPAR +2%) were above average in this period compared to the 15YA. Below-average precipitation was observed throughout this monitoring period. As a result, there was a 10% decrease in biomass due to low precipitation. The national CALF is 100%. The national VCIx was 0.89. Crop Production Index (CPI) was 0.97.  In summary, the crops initially benefitted from above average conditions during the winter months, but the prolonged rainfall deficit reduced crop conditions to slightly below average.

The NDVI departure cluster profiles indicate that: (1) 9.7% of arable land experienced favorable crop conditions in April and May, but below average in June and July, mainly distributed in Western Hungary. (2) 33.8% of arable land has above average crop conditions from April to early July, and below average conditions from mid to late July, mainly distributed in eastern Hungary. (3) 20.4% of arable land experienced above average crop conditions in April and early May, and below average from middle May to July, mainly distributed in central Hungary. (4) 26.7% of arable land experienced average crop conditions in early April, below average from middle April to mid-June, and above average from late June to July, which scattered throughout the entire Hungary. (5) 9.5% of arable land experienced below-average crop conditions between April and mid-June, above average from late June to July, mainly distributed in Eastern Hungary.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, four sub-national regions are described below: Northern Hungary (88), Central Hungary (87), the Great Plain (Puszta) (86) and Transdanubia (89). During this reporting period, CALF was 100% for all four subregions.

Central Hungary (87) is one of the major agricultural regions in terms of crop production. A sizeable share of winter wheat is planted in this region. According to the NDVI development graphs, NDVI values were above average in April and June, below average in May and July. Temperature was above average (ΔTEMP +2.6°C). Radiation was average. Potential biomass was below average compared to the 15YA (ΔBIOMSS -16%), mainly due to the lower rainfall (ΔRAIN -48%). The VCIx was 0.91. The CPI was 1.01. Overall, winter cereal production will be sligthly lower than the average due to the rainfall deficit.

The Puszta (86) (The Great Plain) region mainly grows winter wheat, maize, and sunflower, especially in the counties of Jaz-Nagykum-Szolnok and Bekes. According to the crop condition development graph, NDVI values were above average in April and below average from May to July. Temperature and radiation were above average (ΔTEMP +2.5°C and ΔRADPAR +2%). Potential biomass (ΔBIOMSS -13%) and CPI (0.87) were below average mainly due to the lower rainfall (ΔRAIN -43%). The VCIx was 0.87. Overall, the rainfall deficit during this monigoring period limited production of winter cereals to slightly below average.

Northern Hungary (88) is another important winter wheat region. According to the crop condition development graph, NDVI values were above average in April and below average from May to July. Temperature and radiation were above average (ΔTEMP +2.5°C and ΔRADPAR +2%). Potential biomass (ΔBIOMSS -17%) and CPI (0.89) were below average mainly due to the lower rainfall (ΔRAIN -49%). The VCIx was 0.89. Overall, the rainfall deficit during this monitoring period limited production of winter cereals to slighly below average.

Southern Transdanubia (89) cultivates winter wheat, maize, and sunflower, mostly in Somogy and Tolna counties. According to the crop condition development graph, NDVI values were above average in April and below average from May to July. Temperature and radiation were above average (ΔTEMP +2.1°C and ΔRADPAR +1%). Potential biomass (ΔBIOMSS -4%) was below average mainly due to the lower rainfall (ΔRAIN -21%). The VCIx was 0.89. The CPI was 0.99. Taking into account the above factors, the production in this region is likely to be average.

Figure.3.18 Hungary's crop condition, April-July 2024

(a). Phenology of major crops

(b) Maximum VCI

(c) Spatial distribution of NDVI profiles

(d) Spatial distribution of NDVI profiles

(e) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile

(f) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile (Central Hungary)

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile (The Greatplain)

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile (North Hungary)

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Time series rainfall profile and temperature profile (Southern Transdanubia)

Table 3.27 Hungary's agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April - July 2024

Table 3.28 Hungary's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, April - July  2024