Overall, the crops in Germany showed above average condition during the reporting period from January to April. Currently, winter wheat and winter barley are in the vegetative stages, and maize is being planted. The CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that for the country as a whole, total precipitation (as measured by the RAIN indicator) was 6% above average, temperature was just average, and radiation was above average (RADPAR, +1%). Above average precipitation occurred throughout the country from January to early-February and after early March. Suitable temperatures prevailed over the entire country from January to early-February and after early-April, while most of Germany were under the influence of a cold spell, with minimum temperatures below -10.0°C during the end of February and the begin of March, and also under the influence of another cold spell in the second half of March, with minimum temperatures below -8.0°C. The cold spell is referred to as "The beast from the east" in Chapter 3.1 and the disasters section in Chapter 5.  Such conditions caused delays to the start of spring sowing and hampered the growth and development of winter crops, but did not cause substantial damage. Due to appropriate rainfall and overall suitable temperature, biomass (BIOMSS) is expected to increase by 6% nationwide compared to the five-year average.  

 As shown in the national crop condition development graph and the NDVI profiles, national NDVI values were above average in early January, then below the average and the values of 2017 from mid-January to early-April, and then again above average after mid-April. These observations are confirmed by the NDVI profiles. Summer crops also are about average in most of the country according to the NDVI profiles, a spatial pattern again reflected by VCIx in the different areas, with a VCIx of 0.90 for Germany overall. The outlook of winter crops is above average.  

Generally, the values of agronomic indicators show favorable condition for most summer crops and the sowing of winter crops in Germany. CALF during the reporting period was 100%, the same as the recent five-year average. Due to favorable condition, the production of wheat is estimated at 4.9% above 2017 values.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, six sub-national agro-ecological regions are adopted for Germany. They are include: the Wheat zone of Schleswig-Holstein and the Baltic coast, Mixed wheat and sugar beets zone of the north-west, Central wheat zone of Saxony and Thuringia, Sparse crop area of the east-German lake and Heathland area, Western sparse crop area of the Rhenish massif, and the Bavarian Plateau.  

Schleswig-Holstein  and  the  Baltic  coast  is  the  major  winter  wheat  zone  of  Germany.  The  CropWatch agroclimatic  indicator  RAIN  was  well  above  average  (+33%),  temperature was slightly below average (TEMP  -0.4°C) and radiation significantly  below  average  (RADPAR  -3%).  With  sufficient  precipitation,  biomass  (BIOMSS)  in  this  zone  is  expected  to  increase  by 12% compared  to  the five-year average. As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the NDVI values were above average in early January, then below the average and the values of 2017 from mid-January to early-April, and then again above average after mid-April. The area has a high CALF (99%) as well as a favorable VCIx (0.86), indicating high cropped area and favorable crop prospects. 

Wheat  and  sugar beet  are major  crops in  the Mixed wheat  and  sugar beet  zone  of  the  north-west. The CropWatch  agroclimatic  indicators  show  that  abundant  RAIN  (14%  above  average)， temperature was slightly below average (TEMP, -0.3°C) and average radiation resulted  in  favorable  crop  condition  for  both  crops.  Biomass  (BIOMSS)  in  this  zone  is expected  to  increase  by  8% compared  to  the  five-year  average. As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the NDVI values were above average in early January, then below the average and the values of 2017 from mid-January to early-April, and then again above average after mid-April. The area has a high CALF (100%) and crop condition for the region is good according to the high VCIx (0.91). 

Central wheat zone of Saxony and Thuringia is another major winter wheat zone; it received about 11% above average rainfall and experienced average temperature condition. Due to favourable weather, the biomass potential (BIOMSS indicator) increased by 7% above average. As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the values were above those of 2017 from early-January to early-March, then below the average and then again above average after mid-April. The VCIx of 0.89 for this region shows favorable crop prospects. 

The sparse crop area of the east-German lake and Heathland district experienced average weather conditions but the western sparse crop area of the Rhenish massif was very wet (RAIN +14%) with slightly above average TEMP (+0.1°C) and radiation. BIOMSS was up by 4% and 9% respectively, while CALF was at 99% for both. As shown in the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the NDVI values for those two regions were all above the values of 2017 from early-January to early-February, then below the average and then again above average after mid-April. Overall, favorable crop condition was recorded with high VCIx values of 0.86 for the eastern and 0.94 for the western areas, respectively. 

Rye and oats are major crops in the Bavarian Plateau. The CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that normal weather was recorded for RAIN (-12%), TEMP (+0.5°C), and RADPAR (+2%). Compared to the five-year average, BIOMSS increased 1% and the Cropped Arable Land Fraction was at 99%. Due to the influence of cold spell in February and March and the rainfall deficit, the crop condition was below average from February to early-April. VCIx reached 0.90 over the whole region indicating favorable crop prospects at the end of the reporting period.

Figure 3.15. Germany’s crop condition, January-April 2018