Over the monitoring period, the planting of spring wheat and maize were started from April, while winter wheat was harvested from June. Compared to average, CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that the conditions were below normal.This includes a 1% drop in RAIN, about average RADPAR, and a increase in temperature at the national level. Also at the national level, crop condition was slightly below average,which is confirmed by a marginal decrease for the BIOMSS indicator (-3%), and the main crop production estimates (Wheat  -4.5%,Maize -1.5%). 

National NDVI values were mostly below those for 2017, but close to the five-year average from April to May. And the national NDVI values began to drop slightly below average from May, which is consistent with the abundant of rainfall during this period. The spatial NDVI patterns compared to the five-year average indicate that NDVI is above average in 79.1% of arable land, with below average values in the other regions. This spatial pattern is reflected by the maximum VCI (VCIx) in the different areas, with a VCIx of 0.95 and average CALF for France overall. Generally, due to the suitable rainfall, the agronomic indicators mentioned above show that the crop growing conditions were close average during the monitoring period.

Regional analysis

Considering cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, additional sub-national detail is provided for eight agro-ecological zones. They are identified in the maps by the following numbers: (54) Northern barley region; (58) Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean; (55)Maize_barley and livestock zone along the English Channel, (56) Rapeseed zone of eastern France;(51) Dry Massif Central zone; (57) Southwestern maize zone; (52) Eastern Alpes region and (53), the Mediterranean zone.

In the Northern barley region both RAIN and TEMP were below average (9% and 2.1°C, respectively), while RADPAR was 6% above. As a result of the shortage of rain, the BIOMSS indicator is 13% below the five-year average. High VCIx values, however, are observed, reflecting overall satisfactory crop condition.

The Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean average rainfall (RAIN, -1%), temperature and RADPAR. According to the NDVI profile and VCIx map, crop condition was good in the region. Overall, the situation is considered to be close to average.

Mostly unfavorable climatic conditions dominated the Maize_barley and livestock zone along the English Channel over the reporting period. Rainfall was 16% below average (166 mm over four months).Temperature and radiation (RADPAR) were normal. The dry conditions have hampered crop growth, indicated also by a BIOMSS indicator 16% below average for the period.

The Rapeseed zone of eastern France recorded 270 mm of rainfall over four months (RAIN -10%). Temperature was average (TEMP 1.4°C)but RADPAR was 6% above. The drop in BIOMSS was 12% compared to the five-year average. The NDVI profile confirms the  conditions of crop was close average.

The Dry Massif Central zone a slight 10% rainfall deficit (RAIN -10%), with above average values for both RADPAR and TEMP. BIOMSS for the region is 6% below the five-year average, and a high VCIx value reflects the generally favorable crop condition. That overall crop condition is generally comparable  with the previous five years, as confirmed by the crop condition development graph, in this minor agricutural region.

The Southwestern maize zone is one of the major irrigated maize regions in France. Rainfall dropped 12% below average, temperature was average, but radiation was below expectations (RADPAR -5%). Crop condition was below average according to the NDVI development graph, in spite of an observation confirmed by the increase of BIOMSS by 9% compared to average. The VCIx map, however, shows that the crop condition was unsatisfactory, in spite of  a high VCIx value recorded for the region as a whole (0.95).

Generally, crop condition for the Eastern Alpes region is above average with the following agroclimatic indicator values: RAIN +14%, TEMP +1.5°C, and RADPAR, -1%. Almost all arable land in this region was cropped during the monitoring period, and the average VCIx is 0.95. The NDVI profile confirms the favorable conditions.

Finally, the best weather conditions were observed in the Mediterranean zone (RAIN +13%) even if other indicators remain close to average. According to the NDVI profiles, crop condition has been continuously deteriorating since June. BIOMSS is 18% above its five-year average, and the VCIx value of 1 for the region is the highest in the country.

                                          Figure 3.13 a. France phenology of majorcrops

Figure 3.13 b. France national levelcrop condition development graph based on NDVI, comparing the April -July 2018period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum VCI for April-July 2018 by pixel

Figure 3.13 d. France spatial NDVIpatterns up to July 2018 according to local cropping patterns and compared tothe 5YA (left) and (e) associated NDVI profiles(right).

Figure 3.13 f. Northern barley zone (France) crop condition development graph based on NDVI.

Figure 3.13 g. Mixed maize/barley and rapeseed zone from the Center to the Atlantic Ocean  (France)crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.13 h. Maize_barley and livestock zone along the English Channel  (France) crop condition development graph based onNDVI.

Figure 3.13 j. crop condition development graph based on NDVI Dry Massif Central zone(France) (right)Southwestern maize zone(France)( left)                                                                     

Figure 3.13 l.crop condition development graph based on NDV Eastern Alpes region(France) ((right) IMediterranean zone(France))left

Table 3.26. France agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April -July 2018

Table 3.27. France agronomic indicatorsby sub-national regions, current season's value and departure from 5YA, April -July 2018

Table 3.28. CropWatch-estimated maize and wheat production for France in 2018 (thousand tons)