Maize and spring wheat planting in Romania started in April, while winter wheat was harvested in July. During the reporting period, Romania presented favorable crop conditions (VCIx, 0.95). Overall, rainfall was slightly below average (RAIN, -2%). Temperature was also a bit lower than the average (TEMP, -0.8°C), while radiation was just above (RADPAR, +1%). 

The national NDVI development graph shows that crop condition rather closely followed the average of the previous five years from April to July, but the whole time remained below 2016 values.

Regional analysis

For Romania, three regions are distinguished, namely a West region, a Middle region, and a Southern and eastern plain region.

In the West, crop condition was somewhat below average during the monitoring period, while it was average in the Middle region. In the Southern and eastern plain region, crop condition was above average. Crop condition development was generally fair over the whole country.

Agro-climatic indicators also show some variations across the three regions. In the West region, rain was relatively low (RAIN, -9%), which accounts for the decrease of biomass (BIOMSS, -3%). The Middle region has average BIOMSS (+0%) resulting from a a slight drop in RAIN (-4%) combined with a slightly positive radiation departure (RADPAR, +1%). The Southern and eastern plain region has the largest--but still modest--BIOMSS increase (+5%), due to an increase in rainfall (RAIN, +5%) and average radiation (RADPAR, 0%). All regions have experienced a moderate drop in temperature close to -1.0°C.

All regions enjoyed a high maximum VCI (VCIx) in excess of 0.8. For the West region, crop condition was not so good near the western border (VCIx ranging from 0.5 to 0.8), while condition in the Middle region is nearly as good as in the Southern and eastern plain region (VCIx close to 1.0). Although this Middle region is not cropped a lot due to the hilly terrain, crop condition was fairly good there too.

Overall, with most parts of Romania having experienced favorable weather and above average crop conditions, prospects for summer crops are favorable. 

Figure 3.26a. Romania phenology of major crops

Figure 3.26b. Romania 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 3.26c. Romania maximum VCI for April-July 2017 by pixel

Figure 3.26d. Romania 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 3.26f. West Region (Romania) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.26g. Middle Region (Romania) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.26h. South&East Plain (Romania) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Table 3.64. Romania agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April-July 2017

Table 3.66. CropWatch-estimated wheat production for Romania in 2017 (thousand tons)