The monitoring period covers the harvest of maize (October) and the sowing of the winter wheat. The Cropped Arable Land Fraction (CALF) was close to average. Compared to last 5 years, weather conditions were wetter and warmer in the reporting period: rainfall was up 41% and temperature increased 1.4°C. RADPAR was below the average (-15%). Resulting from the wetter and warmer condition, the potential biomass (BIOMSS) increased 17%. The VCIx in Poland during the reporting period was 1.00.

As shown by the crop condition development graph, national NDVI values fell markedly in early December and late January due to the presence of snow.  Only about 14.4% of the agriculture areas had below average condition from October 2017 to January 2018. However, in January 2018,  NDVI was below average all over Poland due to country-wide heavy snow  cover.  

Overall, due to sufficient precipitation and suitable temperature, the condition of winter wheat in Poland is assessed by CropWatch to be at least average.

Regional analysis

The four Agro-Ecological areas examined more closely for CropWatch include the Central rye and potatoes area, Northern oats and potatoes areas, Northern-central wheat and sugarbeet area, and the Southern wheat and sugarbeet area.

In the Central rye and potatoes area, the condition of crops was above the average of the last 5 years as higher rainfall (RAIN +41%) and temperature (TEMP +1.5°C), which accounts for the increase of biomass (BIOMSS +20%) compared to the five-year average. RADPAR was below average (-16%). The area has a high CALF (100%) as well as a very favorable VCIx (1.02)

Crop conditions in the Northern oats and potatoes area were also above the average as the wetter (RAIN +66) and warmer (TEMP +1.4°C) weather, resulting in the increased biomass (BIOMSS +12%). The area has a high CALF (100%) as well as a favorable VCIx (0.95).

The Northern-central wheat and sugarbeet area experienced conditions similar to those in the Central rye and potatoes area: positive rainfall (RAIN +51%) and temperature (TEMP +1.3°C), and a deficient RADPAR (-14%). Due to favorable condition, biomass increased by 18% compared to the average of last 5 years. The area has a high CALF (100%) as well as a favorable VCIx (0.94). 

The Southern wheat and sugarbeet area recorded rainfall and temperature increments over average (RAIN +25%, TEMP +1.4°C) , leading to increased biomass (BIOMSS +14%) compared to the five-year average. The area has a high CALF (100%) as well as a favorable VCIx (1.04).

Figure 3.25a. Poland phenology of major crops

Figure 3.25b. Poland national level crop condition development graph based on NDVI, comparing the October 2017 to January 2018 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum

Figure 3.25c. Poland maximum VCI for October 2017 to January 2018 by pixel

Figure 3.25d. Poland 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 3.25f. Central rye and potatoes area (Poland) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.25g. Northern oats and potatoes area (Poland) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.25h. Northern-central wheat and sugarbeet area (Poland) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.25i. Southern wheat and sugarbeet area (Poland) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Table 3.61. Poland agroclimatic indicators by agro-ecological region, current season's values and departure from 15YA, October 2017- January 2018

Table 3.62. Poland agronomic indicators by agro-ecological region, current season's values and departure from 5YA, October 2017- January 2018