This report covers the vegetative and reproductive growth stages of wheat. Its harvest was concluded by July. Planting of maize and rice started in April. About 19.8% of the agricultural land of Türkiye is irrigated. Hence, regular rainfall is important to sustain crop growth. Agrometeorological data show that rainfall and photosynthetically active radiation were on par with the 15-year average, combined with temperatures exceeding the average by 2.1°C. Overall, this resulted in a potential biomass that was 7% higher than average. The national Cultivated Land Fraction (CALF) was 78%, which was 6% higher than the average of previous years. The Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) was 0.86, and the Crop Production Situation Index (CPI) was 1.06, indicating overall good agrometeorological conditions in Türkiye and healthy crop growth.

The crop growth development as indicated by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) shows that the peak of the crop growth curve occurred in mid-May, about 10 days earlier than the 15-year average, which may be related to the phenological shift of crops caused by the higher temperatures nationwide. The rainfall deficit in June also contributed to a faster senescence. The NDVI anomaly clustering map shows that the crop growth in the central and western regions of Türkiye was below average, with areas where the VCI was below 0.5. In contrast, the eastern regions show better crop growth, with large areas where the VCI was above 1.0.

Regional Analysis

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

In the Black Sea region (191), rainfall reached 446 mm, 8% higher than the 15-year average. The average temperature rose slightly by 1.9°C, and photosynthetically active radiation increased by 1%, reaching 1333 MJ/m². The potential biomass was 854 g Dry Matter (DM)/m², 4% higher than the 15-year average. The CALF was 97%, 1% higher than the 5-year average. The maximum VCI was 0.88, and the CPI was 0.96. Overall, the crop growth in this region was normal, on par with previous years.

In Central Anatolia (192), rainfall reached 246 mm, 6% higher than the 15-year average. The average temperature rose by 2.3°C to 17.6°C, and photosynthetically active radiation decreased by 2%, reaching 1454 MJ/m². The potential biomass was 801 g DM/m², 13% higher than the 15-year average. The CALF was 67%, 7% higher than the 5-year average. The maximum VCI was 0.81, and the CPI was 1.07. Favorable temperatures and increased rainfall  offset the impact of lower-than-average photosynthetically active radiation, leading to good biomass accumulation and expansion of cultivated land area. Overall, the crop condition was normal.

In Eastern Anatolia (193), rainfall reached 318 mm, 4% higher than the 15-year average. The average temperature rose by 2.0°C to 16.3°C, and photosynthetically active radiation was 858 MJ/m², in line with historical levels. The potential biomass was 800 g DM/m², 8% higher than the 15-year average. The CALF was 87%, 12% higher than the 5-year average. The maximum VCI was 0.93, and the CPI was 1.20. The region experienced sufficient rainfall and higher temperatures, leading to significant biomass accumulation. The crop production conditions were normal.

In the Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean regions (194), rainfall reached 162 mm, 16% below the 15-year average. The average temperature rose by 2.5°C to 21.4°C, and photosynthetically active radiation was 870 MJ/m², roughly in line with historical levels. The potential biomass was 739 g DM/m², 2% higher than the 15-year average. The CALF was 81%, 2% higher than the 5-year average. The maximum VCI was 0.85, and the CPI was 1.02. Despite the lower-than-average rainfall, higher temperatures and levels of photosynthetically active radiation have supported biomass accumulation and crop growth, with a slight increase in the area of cultivated land, resulting in overall normal crop conditions.

Figure 3 Türkiye’s crop condition, April 2024 – July 2024

Table1 Türkiye’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April 2024 – July 2024

Table2 Türkiye’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, April 2024 – July 2024