Crops in Germany generally showed above average condition over the reporting period, which covered the late stages of sugar beets (October harvest) and early vegetative stages of winter wheat and winter  barley. The CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that for the country as a whole, total precipitation (as measured by the RAIN indicator)  was 33% above average, temperature was above average (TEMP,  1.2°C),  and  radiation  significantly  below  average (RADPAR,  -15%). Negative rainfall departures occurred mostly  from October to early November and above average rainfall occurred throughout the country after early November. With favorable moisture and suitable temperature, the biomass production potential (BIOMSS) is expected to increase by 14% nationwide compared to the five-year average, even if below average sunshine may reduce expectations.

As shown in the national crop condition development graph and the NDVI profiles, the abundant rain delayed field operations. The VCIx in Germany during this monitoring period was 0.96. The snow has probably protected crops from cold weather and will continue to  provide soil moisture. The outlook of winter crops is above average. 

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, six sub-national agro-ecological regions are adopted for Germany. They include, listed with their identification numbers: (58) Wheat zone of Schleswig-Holstein and the Baltic coast, (59) Mixed wheat and sugarbeets zone of the north-west, (60) Central wheat zone of Saxony and Thuringia, (61) Sparse crop area of the east-German lake and Heathland, (62) Western sparse crop area of the Rhenish massif, and (63) Bavarian Plateau. The numbers identify the areas on the maps. 

Schleswig-Holstein and the Baltic coast is the major winter wheat zone of Germany. The CropWatch agroclimatic indicator RAIN was well above average (+46%) with  warm  weather (TEMP,  +1.2°C)  and radiation significantly below average  (RADPAR, -13%). With sufficient precipitation and suitable temperature, biomass (BIOMSS) in this zone is expected to increase by 16% compared to the five-year average. Due to two snow storms NDVI started dropping from December. The area has a high CALF (100%) as well as a favorable VCIx (0.95), indicating high cropped area and favorable crop prospects.

Wheat and sugarbeets are major crops  in the Mixed wheat and sugarbeets zone of the north-west. The CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that abundant RAIN (37% above average) and warm  weather (TEMP,  +1.1°C) resulted in favorable crop condition for both crops. Biomass (BIOMSS) in this zone is expected to increase by 11% compared to the five-year average. It is conjectured that snow has protected crops from cold weather and will continue to provide sufficient soil moisture. Therefore, crop condition for the region is good according to the high VCIx (0.96).

Central wheat zone of Saxony and Thuringia are another major winter wheat zone; it received about 26% above average rainfall and experienced warm weather condition (TEMP, +1.5°C). Due to favourable weather, the biomass potential (BIOMSS indicator) increased by 19% above average. The VCIx of 0.94 for this region also shows favorable crop prospects.

The sparse crop area of the east-German lake and Heathland district,  and western sparse crop area of the Rhenish massif experienced very wet weather conditions, with RAIN above average (+32% and +37%, respectively), warm weather condition (TEMP, +1.7°C and +1.1°C), and very poor radiation (RADPAR, -17% and -18%). BIOMSS was up by 22% and 11% respectively with favorable moisture and temperature, while CALF was at 100% for both. Favorable crop condition was recorded with high VCIx values of 0.96 for the eastern and 0.97 for the western areas, respectively.

Figure 3.10. Germany crop condition, October 2017-January 2018

Figure 3.10a. Germany phenology of major crops

Figure 3.10b. Germnay national level crop condition development graph based on NDVI, comparing the October 2017-January 2018 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum

Figure 3.10c. Germany maximum VCI for October 2017-January 2018 by pixel

Figure 3.10d. Germany spatial NDVI patterns up to January 2018 according to local cropping patterns and compared to the 5YA (left) and (e) associated NDVI profiles (right)

Figure 3.10f. Wheat zone of Schleswig-Holstein and the Baltic coast crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.10g. Mixed wheat and sugarbeets zone of the north-west crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.10h. Central wheat zone of Saxony and Thuringia crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.10i. Sparse crop area of the east-German lake and Heathland crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.10j. Western sparse crop area of the Rhenish massif crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.10k. Bavarian Plateau crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Table 3.17. Germany agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, October 2017-January 2018

Table 3.18. Germany agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's value and departure from 5YA, October 2017-January 2018