This reporting period covers the late growth and harvest period of winter crops, and the sowing period and early growth period of the spring crops. During this monitoring period, barley and winter wheat reached maturity in May and July respectively. The planting of spring crops was completed by April. Based on the agroclimatic and agronomic indicators, the crop conditions in Lebanon were generally average.

The CropWatch agronomic Indicator shows that the Crop Production Index (CPI) in Lebanon was 1.02, down by 0.12 from the past 5YA (ΔCPI -0.12).The average maximum VCI reached a value of 0.87 during this reporting period, the spatial distribution shows that the VCI values between 0.8 and 1 account for the largest proportion of the area, and they are distributed throughout Lebanon. As shown in the crop condition development graph and the NDVI profiles at the national level, NDVI values were above average in early April, even above the maximum level of the past five years,  then below average in late April,  and then below average again from May to Mid-July except for early May .These observations are confirmed by the clustered NDVI profiles: 60.8% of regional NDVI values were above average from April to July except for mid-April, 58.8% of regional NDVI values were significantly below average throughout this monitoring period except for April and mid-May. These observations are confirmed by the lower VCI values shown in the maximum VCI map. CALF during the reporting period was 73%, which was 5% higher than the 5YA average.

CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that the temperature and rainfall were both above the 15YA average (ΔTemp +1.5℃; ΔRAIN +11%), the RADPAR was below average (ΔRADPAR -2%; ), due to the better hydrothermal conditions, the national biomass production potential was above average compared to the 15YA average (ΔBIOMSS +6%). According to the time series rainfall profiles, precipitation was significantly above 15YA average in April except for mid-April, and was well below the 15YA average for almost the entire monitoring period, except for early May, which was close to the average level. According to temperature profiles, the temperature was above the average in April and fluctuated above and below the average level in May, while the temperature from June to July were much higher than the average. 

Overall, crop conditions were average to above average in this monitoring period.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, three sub-national agro-ecological regions are adopted for Lebanon. They include: Bekaa Valley Zone (231), Western Coastal Zone (230) and Mountainous region (229).

Bekaa Valley Zone is the major crop production zone of Lebanon. The area had a CALF of 41%. It increased by 4% compared to the past 5YA average. The VCIx was 0.78 and the Crop Production Index (CPI) was 0.89, down 0.36 from the average level of the past 5YA (ΔCPI -0.36). As shown in the crop condition development graph (NDVI), the values were generally above average before mid-April, then significantly below average in late April，and then below average again after May except for early May. Rainfall and temperature were both above average (ΔRAIN +19%; ΔTEMP +1.5%), but radiation (ΔRADPAR -2%) was below average. Their combined effect increased BIOMSS by 8% as compared to the average. 

Western Coastal Zone is another major crop production zone. The CropWatch agronomic Indicator shows that this region has a high CALF (94%), it increased by 3% compared to the past 5YA average. The VCIx was 0.89 and Crop Production Index (CPI) was 0.79, down 0.22 from the 5YA. As shown in the crop condition development graph (NDVI), the values were above the 5YA in early April, even close to the maximum level in the past five years, then significantly below the average in late April , and then fluctuated above and below the average level from May to July except for mid-July.

The Mountainous region had a moderate CALF (79%), it increased by 6% compared to the 5YA average, and the VCIx was 0.90. The crop production index of the Mountainous region was 1.21, which was 0.07 higher than the past 5YA. As shown in the crop condition development graph (NDVI), the values were generally above the 5YA average in early April, even close to the maximum level of the past five years, then significantly below the average from late April to July except for early May, Rainfall and temperature were both above average (ΔRAIN +11%; ΔTEMP +1.5%), while radiation (ΔRADPAR -2%) was below average. As a result, the BIOMSS was increased by 6% compared to the average. 

Figure XXX. Lebanon’s crop condition, April-July 2024

(a) Phenology of major crops in Lebanon

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, comparing the April-July 2024 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum

(c) Maximum VCI for the April 2024 - July 2024 period

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns for Lebanon up to July 2024 according to local cropping patterns and as  compared to the 5YA (left) and (e) associated NDVI profiles (right)

(e) Time series rainfall profile (left) and temperature profile (right) of Lebanon comparing the April 2024 - July 2024 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA)and maximum

(f) Bekaa Valley Zone crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall profiles 

(middle) and temperature (right)

(g) Western Coastal Zone crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall 

profiles (middle) and temperature (right)

(h) Mountainous region crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left), time series rainfall 

profiles (middle) and temperature (right)

(i) CPI time series graph

Table 3.1 Lebanon’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, April - July 2024

Table 3.2 Lebanon’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA,  April - July 2024