Crops in Hungary showed favorable conditions during this reporting period. Winter wheat has been harvested in June and July. All agroclimatic indicators were above average: RAIN +21.3%, TEMP +1.3°C and RADPAR +2.9%. The favorable agroclimatic conditions resulted in increase in the BIOMSS index by 12.2% compared to the five-year average. According to nationwide NDVI graphs, crop condition was close to average during this period, with the maximum VCI value on the national level reaching 0.93 and the cropped arable land fraction (CALF) unchanged compared to the recent five-year average.Crop condition was below average throughout the reporting period in 28.4% of arable land in the Grea tPlain, and 54.5% was above average from April to early June. About 45.3% of arable land was below average from early June to late July. CropWatch estimates that wheat production will decrease by 4.1% below 2017 values (yield down 4.2% and area down 1.4%).

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and to pographic conditions, Hungary is divided into four subregions: North Hungary, Central Hungary, the Great Plain and Transdanubia. Specific observations for the reporting period are included for each region. All sub-regions are characterised by unchanged fractions of cultivated arable land (CALF) compared to average.

Central Hungary is one of its major agricultural regions in terms of crop production. About 5-8% of winter wheat, maize and sunflower are planted in this region. The NDVI was about average from April to May, lower than average from May to late June, and above average in July. Agroclimatic conditions were above average: rainfall was 343mm (+28% compared to average), TEMP 19.5°C (+1.3°C) and RADPAR of 1236 MJ/m2  was 2.5% above average. This resulted in above average BIOMASS (+17%).

The North Hungary region growth 5 to 8% of the national winter wheat, plus  and sunflower and 1 to 4% of maize. NDVI values fluctuated compared to the 5YA: below average in April and May to June, above average late April and July. The accumulated rainfall (RAIN +1%), temperature (TEMP +1.3°C) and radiation (RADPAR +2.5%) were above average, resulting in the biomass production potential increase in this region (BIOMSS, +3%).

The Great Plain region grows mostly winter wheat, maize and sunflower  especially in the counties of Jasz-Magykum-Szolnok and Bekes. According to crop condition graph, NDVI values were below average from April to late June, slightly higher than average in July. All agroclimatic indicators were above average in this period which is RAIN (+23%), TEMP (+1.3°C) and RADPAR (+3.0%), leading to a BIOMSS value of 1188 gDM/m2, up 11% above average. The maximum VCI did well (0.91).

Southern Transdanubia cultivated 4 to 8 % of winter wheat, maize and sunflower seed, mostly in Somogy and Tolna counties while only 1 to 4% of main crops are planted in the northern Transdanubia. NDVI was above average. Compared to average, rainfall was up by 16%, temperature by 1.3°C and radiation by 2.9%. The biomass production potential rose 16%. The Transdanubia region’s VCIx was well above average (0.95). 

Figure 3.20. Hungary’s crop condition, April - July 2018 

                                                     (a). Phenology of major crops 

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI                          (c) Maximum VCI

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                        (e) NDVI profiles  

(f) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Central Hungary (left) and North Hungary (right))

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Great Plain (left) and Western Transdanubia (right))

Table 3.35. Hungary’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April-July 2018 

Table 3.36. Hungary’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, April-July 2018

Table 3.37.  CropWatch-estimated wheat production for Hungary in 2018 (thousand tons)