In Egypt, the Nile Valley and Delta are the main cultivated land areas, occupying about four percent of the otherwise desertic area. From April to July 2017, temperature (TEMP) and radiation (RADPAR) in the country overall were close to average while rainfall (RAIN) significantly higher by 110%. Average NDVI slightly lower than the five-year average, while the Cropped Arable Land Fraction (CALF) increased 1 percentage point to 59%. VCIx was 0.76. A significant increase in (rainfed) BIOMSS is expected, although values remain very low. The production of rice and wheat in 2017 is estimated to rise by 9.5% and 7.4%, respectively, compared with 2016.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, three sub-national regions can be distinguished for Egypt, two of them relevant for crops cultivation. They are Nile Delta and Nile Valley area.

Nile Delta and Valley

Both the Delta and the Valley received considerably large precipitation excesses (RAIN, +143% and +107%, respectively), but since expected rainfall amounts are insignificant and virtually all crop is irrigated, the impact was minimal. The indicators of CALF and VCIx are also favorable in both areas, NDVI of Valley area is close to the five-year average, while NDVI of Delta area is a little bit below the average. Altogether, production is expected to be satisfactory.  

Figure 3.11a. Egypt phenology of major crops

Figure 3.11b. Egypt 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 3.11c.  Egypt maximum VCI for April-July 2017 by pixel

Figure 3.11d.  Egypt 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 3.11f. Cropping area of Nile Delta (Egypt) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.11g. Cropping area of Nile Valley (Egypt) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Table 3.20. Egypt agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April-July 2017

Table 3.21. Egypt agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, April-July 2017 

Table 3.22. CropWatch-estimated maize, rice and wheat production for Egypt in 2017 (thousand tons)