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MongoliaMain producing and exporting countries

Authors: fan | Edit: lirui

This reporting period from July to October covers the main crop growing season in Mongolia. Only 3% of Mongolia's cropland is irrigated, which means that agro-meteorological conditions have a decisive impact on crop growth. According to CropWatch agro-climatic indicators, average TEMP was 10.9°C, above the 15-year average (+1.6°C). RAIN was 310 mm, 11% higher than the 15-year average. RADPAR was 1% lower than the 15-year average. BIOMSS was 6% higher than the 15-year average.

The NDVI departure cluster map reveals that in early July, a modest 15.4% of the terrain exhibited subpar vegetative states in the eastern Hangai Khuvsgul Region and the western Selengo-Onon area. This was followed by a period where vegetation conditions were near to average or slightly above. However, from July through October, the vegetation status in most areas experienced fluctuations due to the combined effects of elevated temperatures and rainfall, yet it generally hovered around the average. The maximum VCI map highlights that, overall, Mongolia’s vegetation health is fairly robust, with the exception of the northern Hangai Khuvsgul Region, which displayed less optimal conditions.

The national average VCIx stood at 0.91, signifying that vegetation conditions were within the normal range. The CALF reached 99%, aligning with the five-year average. Cropping intensity (CI) was slightly below average (ΔCI, -1%). Furthermore, the CPI for Mongolia registered at 0.93, suggesting that crop production prospects for the current season are close to normal.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, Mongolia can be divided into five agro-ecological zones (AEZ): Altai (135), Gobi Desert (136), Hangai Khuvsgul Region (137), Selenge-Onon Region (138), and Central and Eastern Steppe (139). Among them, Altai and Gobi Desert have no cultivated land, so we mainly focus on the remaining three regions.

In the Hangai Khuvsgul Region, precipitation reached 355 mm, exceeding the 15-year average for this period by 15%. The average temperature was recorded at 8.4°C, which is 1.7°C above the 15-year average. RADPAR was marginally lower, by 2%, compared to the 15-year average. Biomass saw an increase of 12% over the 15-year average. The proportion of cropped arable land was 99%, showing a slight 1% decline from the 5-year average. Cropping intensity was marginally reduced to 101%, a 1% decrease from the 5-year average.  The VCIx stood at 0.86, indicating minor fluctuations in vegetation conditions due to the high temperatures and heavy rainfall, aligning with the general NDVI trends. Similar patterns were observed in the other two regions.

The Selenge-Onon region in north-central Mongolia produces more than half of the wheat. RAIN was 309 mm, 9% higher than the 15-year average for the same period. TEMP was 11.4°C, 1.6°C higher than the 15-year average. RADPAR was 1% lower than the 15-year average. BIOMSS was 4% higher than the 15-year average. The cropped arable land fraction remained stable at 100%, with no significant departure from the 5-year average. The cropping intensity was slightly lower at 101%, a 2% decrease from the 5-year average. The VCIx was 0.94, and CPI was 0.94, indicating that the overall agricultural situation in this region is normal. 

In the Central and Eastern Steppe, RAIN was 246 mm, 9higher than the 15-year average for the same period. TEMP was 14.6°C, 1.5°C higher than the 15-year average. RADPAR was 1% lower than the 15-year average. BIOMSS was 3higher than the 15-year average. The cropped arable land fraction was 100%, and the CPI is 0.93, both indicating effective utilization of arable land. 



Figure 3.31 Mongolia’s crop condition, July - October 2024

(a) Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI  

(c) Maximum VCI

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                                       (e) NDVI profiles

(f) Rainfall profiles                                       (g) Temperature profiles

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Hangai Khuvsgul Region (left) and Selenge-Onon Region (right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Central and Eastern Steppe)

(j) CPI time series graph for Mongolia


Table 3.1 Mongolia's agro-climatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, July‐October 2024

Region

RAIN

TEMP

RADPAR

BIOMSS

Current
(mm)

Departure
(%)

Current
(°C)

Departure
(°C)

Current
(MJ/m2)

Departure
(%)

Current
(gDM/m2)

Departure
(%)

Altai

266

-24

9.2

2.3

1097

6

566

8

Gobi Desert

182

-7

11.9

1.9

1107

2

490

3

Hangai Khuvsgul Region

355

15

8.4

1.7

1032

-2

674

12

Selenge-Onon Region

309

9

11.4

1.6

1019

-1

687

4

Central and Eastern Steppe

246

9

14.6

1.5

1011

-1

654

3

Table 3.2 Mongolia's  agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departures from 5YA, July‐October 2024

Region

CALF

CI

Maximum VCI

CPI

Current(%)

Departure from 5YA(%)

Current(%)

Departure from 5YA(%)

Current

Current

Altai

77

-6

100

-1

0.84

0.00

Gobi Desert

76

-2

100

-1

0.88

0.00

Hangai Khuvsgul Region

99

-1

101

-1

0.86

0.00

Selenge-Onon Region

100

0

101

-2

0.94

0.94

Central and Eastern Steppe

100

0

100

            0

0.88

0.93