In general, crops did well in the South America MPZ fromJanuary to April 2015; figure 2.3 presents the indicators for this MPZ. Favorableagroclimatic conditions were observed with average rainfall and radiation, and1.2°C above average temperature which contributes to the 5% above average valuefor BIOMSS. Spatially, below average BIOMSS occurs in Paraguay and in centraland northeast Buenos Aires, where below average rainfall in late Januarycombined with high temperature in early January was unfavorable for crops. Theminimum vegetation health index confirms the water deficit that occurred inthose regions over the last four months. As is shown in the spatial pattern ofrainfall departure, abundant rainfall was recorded in most of southern Brazil(including Rio Grande Do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Parana) around December andJanuary. The north of the MPZ suffered low rainfall in January; rainfall inArgentina fluctuated significantly but was generally average over the reportingperiod. Temperature was in general favorable for crops in the MPZ, except forthe regions from Southern Mato Grosso Du Sol north to Central Mato Grosso whereextreme temperature deficits occurred in early January, mid-February, and againlate March, hampering crop development.

According to the map showing the maximum vegetationcondition index (VCIx), crop condition was below average in central BuenosAires province. Average VCIx for the MPZ is 0.86 over the reporting period. Thecropped arable land fraction (CALF) in the MPZ is 99%, which is the same levelas the previous five-year average, with only some arable land in an area fromBahia Blanca to Santa Rosa uncropped.

Figure 2.3.South America MPZ: Agroclimatic and agronomic indicators, January-April 2015