In Argentina over the reporting period, most of late maize has been harvested while most winter crops were planted. The main crops (soybean and maize) are in their fallow period.

For the country as a whole, rainfall (as measured with the RAIN indicator) was 48% above average, while radiation (RADPAR) was 10% below. Temperature (TEMP, +0.3°C) was slightly above, and the biomass production potential indicator (BIOMASS) was 29% above average. Precipitation was also above average for Argentina's 13 provinces where agriculture is relevant, with RAIN increases ranging from 14% to 152%. Temperature was lower than average for central and northwestern provinces (including Salta, Tucumán, Chaco and San Luis), and positive for the others. RADPAR was lower than average for the 13 provinces (varying between -2.5% and -13%), while BIOMSS was above average for all provinces except Misiones in the northeast. 

The NDVI based crop condition development graph for the country is very close to its five-year average, with NDVI on some dates even above last year's values. Chaco, the Pampas mountains, and the Tropical highland regions (see also the regional analysis below) all showed profiles similar to average. In the Andes mountain area and Pampas region, NDVI profiles were similar to the maximum NDVI, while in Mesopotamia profiles were slightly above average. 

In the spatial NDVI patterns and profiles, both Chaco and Mesopotamia present uniformity, while high variability is observed for the Pampas region, with situations of above-average values, as well as near-average profiles recovering from negative anomalies (in central parts of the Pampas region). This might be associated with fields still recovering from the flooding connected to last season's heavy rains.

Low VCIx values in the central Pampas could reflect the reduction in soybean planted area (with later maturity dates than maize) that was observed last season, or represent reductions in wheat planted area or the persistence of flooded areas. High VCIx values observed in the south of Buenos Aires province, a main wheat producing area with low inter-annual changes in planted area, can be more accurately associated with a good crop condition.

In summary, the only crop growing over the reporting period was wheat, and growing conditions are good. The heavy rains, however, that occurred in this and the previous reporting periods could still affect the future development of wheat and the planting of summer crops. In addition, changes in the planting area of main crops (planted in a rotational system over the same land) have been occurring in recent years, and the effect of these activities on the interpretation of the satellite indicators needs to be considered.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, eight sub-national regions can be distinguished for Argentina, among which six are relevant for crops cultivation. These six regions are the Andes mountain region, Chaco region, Pampas region, Mesopotamia region, Pampas mountains region, and a Tropical highland region. 

All regions received well above average rainfall (RAIN at least 33% above the fifteen-year average). Correspondingly, the departure of RADPAR for the regions ranges from -1% to -12%. Favorable conditions altogether benefited the crops as indicated by above average BIOMSS values. The Cropped Arable Land Fraction in all regions was above its five-year average. A large positive departure of in the Cropped Arable Land Fraction was observed in the Andes mountain and the Pampas mountain regions. According to the NDVI profiles by region, crop condition in northern Argentina, including the Chaco, Mesopotamia, and Tropical highland regions, is above 5YA over the growing of the last season, while NDVI was close to average for the other three regions. VCIx for the Andes mountain regions, the Pampas region, and the Pampas mountain regions were relatively low because it was outside the growing season for crops.  

Figure 3.5a. Argentina phenology of major crops

Figure 3.5b. Argentina national level crop condition development graph based on NDVI, comparing the April-July 2017 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum

Figure 3.5c. Argentina maximum VCI for April-July 2017 by pixel

Figure 3.5d. Argentina spatial NDVI patterns up to July 2017 according to local cropping patterns and compared to the 5YA (left) and (e) associated NDVI profiles (right).

Figure 3.5f. Andes mountain region (Argentina) crop condition development graph based on NDVI.

Figure 3.5g. Chaco region (Argentina) crop condition development graph based on NDVI.

Figure 3.5h. Pampas region (Argentina) crop condition development graph based on NDVI.

Figure 3.5i. Mesopotamia region (Argentina) crop condition development graph based on NDVI.

Figure 3.5j. Pampas mountain region (Argentina) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.5k. Tropical highland region (Argentina) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Table 3.2.  Argentina agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April-July 2017

Table 3.3. Argentina agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, April - July 2017

Table 3.4. CropWatch-estimated maize, rice, wheat, and soybean production for Argentina in 2017 (thousand tons)