Crops in France show above-average to below-average condition over the reporting period. Currently,soft wheat and spring barley have been harvested, while maize is in the vegetative stage. Compared to average, CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that the reporting period recorded a 38% drop in RAIN, a 0.5°C increase inTEMP, and 4% above average RADPAR at the national level. BIOMSS presents a 36%decrease compared to the five-year average due to scarcity of rainfall. As shown by the crop condition development graph, national NDVI values were wellabove average and even close to the five year maximum from April to May due to sufficient rainfall at the end of April. National NDVI values began to dropbelow average from June—dropping even below last year’s values, which is consistent with the lack of rainfall and high temperature during this period.The spatial NDVI patterns compared to the five-year average and correspondingNDVI departure cluster profiles also indicate that NDVI is above average inonly 17.8% of arable land, namely in the northeast of Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur,the south of Languedoc-Roussillon, the northwest of Midi-Pyrenées, the southand north of Poitou-Charentes, and middle of Champagne-Ardenne. In contrast, inthe other regions the NDVI is below average. This spatial pattern is alsoreflected by the maximum VCI in the different areas, with a VCIx of 0.74 forFrance overall. Generally, due to rainfall deficit and high temperature, theagronomic indicators mentioned above show unfavorable condition for most cropareas of France. More rain for rainfed arable land regions is needed in thenext few months.

Figure3.13. France crop condition, April-July2015

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

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