Russia experienced very favorable environmental conditions from April to July (VCIx=0.91).The winter wheat harvest in the country began in mid-June, while the planting of maize and spring wheat started in April. The fraction of cropped arable land was 1percentage point above the five-year average. In general, Russia experienced warm and wet conditions over the recent four months. Precipitation exceeds the recent average (RAIN, +8%) and the temperature was just slightly above average(+0.1°C). Mainly due to weather, the BIOMSS indicator rose 14% over the last five-year average.

As shown in the NDVI crop condition development graph, the NDVI is close to average in this monitoring period. The crop condition is favorable in most parts of Russia’s cropland(VCIx>0.8). The spatial NDVI patterns show that in some parts of southern Russia, including in Volgograd and Rostov, the NDVI is significantly below the five-year average before June and above average after. In Russia’s eastern cropland areas,from Orenburg to Novosibirsk, the NDVI is above average from April to July. Dueto the abundant water supply, the harvest of winter wheat in these areas has been advanced. Overall crop condition is favorable.

Figure3.27. Russia 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