Crop condition in Germany shows spatially contrasted patterns. Winter wheat and winter barley are currently in the vegetative stages, and maize is being planted. The CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show below average rainfall (RAIN, -4%), below average temperature (TEMP, -0.2°C, except in the northern wheat zone where TEMP was +0.2°C), and RADPAR at the national level at 5% below average. Above average rainfall occurred throughout the middle-north of Germany, including in the northern wheat zone (RAIN, +13%), a northwest mixed wheat and sugar beets area (+3%), and an eastern area with sparse crops (+15%, also the largest positive departure). With close to average and generally favorable rainfall conditions in the crop planting areas, BIOMSS is expected to increase by 2% nationwide compared to the five-year average, and even more in some areas such as in the eastern sparse crop area and the northern wheat zone, two areas where the projected BIOMSS departure reaches  +12% over average. 

As shown by the crop condition development graph, national NDVI values were below average from January to early March due to low temperature, and then above average from early March to early April as a result of favorable rainfall and suitable temperature. After early April, values were again below average due to sparse rainfall and low minimum temperature. This observation is confirmed by the NDVI profiles and the country's spatial NDVI patterns, which are also reflected by the maximum VCI in the different areas, with a VCIx of 0.85 for Germany overall. Generally, the values of the indicators mentioned above point at average condition for most winter crop areas in Germany.

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI     (b) Maximum VCI 

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